The launch date of Shenzhou V, the country's first manned spacecraft, is still uncertain, but evaluation of the returned Shenzhou IV will be key to the program, it was revealed Wednesday by leading engineers involved in the project.
"It is a good start to our dream to send Chinese astronauts into the outer space, but there is still a long way to go, compared with some other countries in this area," said Shi Jinmiao, deputy commander-in-chief and deputy chief designer of the Shenzhou IV spacecraft.
China's space program, which includes the planned development of a space station, is in some ways indicative of the nation's comprehensive ability. It will also go a long way to boosting related industries such as the biochemical, pharmaceutical, metallurgical and electronics.
The eventual launch of Shenzhou V, which can carry three astronauts, will make China the world's third nation to have an independent manned space capability. The former Soviet Union was first in the manned space flight race, sending one of its cosmonauts up in 1961. The following year the United States launched its first successful manned flight.
Shi did not disclose the planned launch date for sending China's first astronauts into orbit, but a senior official of the Shanghai Academy of Space Flight Technology, said nine launch missions were planned for 2003.
"The successful launching and return of Shenzhou IV, which carried a simulated person into the space has laid a solid base for our future missions, but it is not a guarantee," said Shi.
He did not say how long the detailed evaluation of Shenzhou IV will take, but said there were many problems yet to be studied and tackled, all of which will serve as reference markers for Shenzhou V.
The main focus of the work over the coming weeks will be improving the reliability of the craft, completing the manned operating system which will act as a back up to mission control and also adding the finishing touches to the space capsule to provide a comparatively comfortable environment for the astronauts.
The returned Shenzhou IV space capsule was opened Wednesday in Beijing by Engineers who set to work on unloading an assortment of more than 100 items.
Among the items sent into orbit were organic samples such as corn, cotton, wheat, soybean, vegetables, herbs and flowers.
Examination of these samples will provide scientists with a wealth of information and help promote China's space technology research and the potential civil uses of the infinitesimal resources of space.
Qin Wenbo, deputy commander-in-chief of Shenzhou IV, confirmed that the launch date of the manned spacecraft will necessarily be adjusted according to specific weather conditions.
"Space flight is scientific, not gambling. We have to use our very best skills to guarantee these astronauts will return to earth safely," Qin said.
(China Daily January 9, 2003)
