China's Shenzhou 9 mission
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E-mail China.org.cn, June 15, 2012
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Editor's notes:China will launch its Shenzhou 9 manned spacecraft in mid-June to perform China's first manned space docking mission with the orbiting Tiangong 1 space lab module. China.org.cn will provide a live webcast and minute-by-minute live blogging coverage of the event. |
| Latest news: |
 Live: Shenzhou 9 returns to Earth After a successful 13 day-stint in space, China's Shenzhou 9 manned spacecraft, carrying on board its three astronauts, returns to Earth around 10 a.m. on Friday, June 29.
Manual docking of Shenzhou 9 with Tiangong 1 Chinese astronauts conducted Shenzhou 9 spacecraft's first manual docking with the Tiangong 1 space lab module at noon today, which is a major step toward China building a permanent space station around 2020. Profiles of three astronauts: Jing Haipeng | Liu Wang | Liu Yang |
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Live text: |
 Female astronaut brings changes to space mission As a member of the crew for China's latest space docking mission, Liu Yang became the country's first female astronaut entering space when Shenzhou 9 blasted into space atop a Long March-2F rocket on Saturday evening. [More] |
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• China's first manned space docking succeeds • China launches Shenzhou 9 successfully • Female astronaut brings changes to space mission • Shenzhou 9 to dock with Tiangong 1 in two days • In pictures: Shenzhou 9 blasts off successfully • China's manned spacecraft prepares for launch • Shenzhou 9 concludes final full-system drill • Shenzhou 9 full-system drill a success: official • Shenzhou 9 enters final pre-launch phase • Shenzhou 9 spacecraft to be launched in mid June
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| Schedule: |
| 1. China will launch its Shenzhou 9 manned spacecraft on Saturday in Jiuquan Space Center. |
| 2. Two crew members will enter Tiangong 1 space module lab and conduct docking manually with module. One of the three Shenzhou 9 crew members will not board the Tiangong 1 space module lab, but will remain inside the spacecraft as a precautionary measure. |
| 3. Shenzhou 9 will return at the end of June. |
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What is expected: | |
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"The crew of the mission could include one woman for the first time. " Liu Yang and Wang Yaping, selected for their superior pilot skills and psychological qualifications, are among six candidates for the three-person crew. Should either be chosen, she would be the first Chinese woman to go into space. Profile: Liu Yang | Wang Yaping |
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"The astronauts will dock Shenzhou 9 manually with the orbiting Tiangong 1 space lab module." Experts hoped that the mission could help the country to test its manual docking technology, which may involve high working intensity for the astronauts under variable light conditions that could affect their vision and the precision of their work. |
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"The mission will be the first time that China launches a manned spacecraft in Summer." The mission will also be the first time that China launches a manned spacecraft in June. This launch window will test the space program's ability to manage the launch against adverse summer weather conditions, such as thunder and high temperatures. China previously kept its launch schedules in the fall and winter seasons since its Shenzhou 1 launch in 1999.
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