One leading engineer designing China's first manned spaceship said Wednesday that Shenzhou V was equipped with 52 engines, which ensures its precise move and orbit keeping.

Qin Wenbo, vice chief engineer of the spaceship, said that designing the spaceship's propulsion systems was one of the most demanding tasks.

"It's very difficult to decide when we should ignite the engines and how long they should work," said Qin, who is also vice chief engineer of Shanghai Aerospace Institute.

A total of 28 engines were installed in the propulsion module, eight in the re-entry module and the rest in the orbit module, Qin said.

"After repeated tests since China launched its first spaceship, Shenzhou," Qin said, "it has been proved that our propulsion systems are reliable."

Engineers have also installed two cameras in the re-entry module, which is expected to transmit audio and video signals to the ground command and control center.

Qin said that the headquarters could not only talk to the astronaut, but also monitor physical data of the nation's first spaceman.

(Xinhua News Agency October 15, 2003)