Astronauts on Shenzhou VI talked with their family members at Beijing Aerospace Command and Control Center for about seven minutes from around 9:30 PM on Wednesday. 
   
"We are all pleased to see both of you are in good spirits," said Wang Jie, Fei Junlong's wife. "Meanwhile, we all feel very proud of you. All the family members are fine. May you carry out the task entrusted to you by the motherland and return smoothly."
   
Nie Haisheng's wife, Nie Jielin, said his 41st birthday would come in a few hours. "Good luck to Haisheng! Good luck to Shenzhou VI!"
   
Fei thanked Wang for her support, whilst Nie Haisheng shed tears after hearing his wife's words..  
   
Nie Tianxiang, Nie's daughter, sang a song for her father's birthday, and Fei's son, Fei Di, asked him how he felt about being weightless.

Earlier, about nine hours after blastoff, Fei had entered the orbital capsule, removing his heavy spacesuit and conduct scientific experiments in work clothes.

Nie remained in the return capsule, taking pictures of the orbital capsule with a digital camera after taking off his spacesuit.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 13, 2005)