A dream launch for Shenzhou X “神十”放飞太空梦.pdfVIP

A dream launch for Shenzhou X Updated: 2013-06-12 02:08 By Xin Dingding ( China Daily) Shenzhou X, Chinas fifth manned spacecraft, atop an upgraded Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasts off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 5:38 pm on Tuesday. [Photo by Zou Hong / China Daily] See slideshow Three astronauts aboard the spacecraft for Chinas longest mission, paving way for space station in 2020 Shenzhou X and three astronauts blasted off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, Gansu province, into a clear blue sky on Tuesday, bringing the nation one step closer to setting up its own space station in 2020. Two men, mission commander Nie Haisheng and Zhang Xiaoguang, and Chinas second female astronaut, Wang Yaping, are expected to stay in space for 15 days. They will educate young people about science and perform two space dockings, between Shenzhou X and the unmanned Tiangong-1 space module, a technically difficult procedure that brings two vessels together in high-speed orbit. The trip is the countrys fifth manned space mission, 10 years after the countrys first astronaut, Yang Liwei, went into space in 2003. President Xi Jinping arrived at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Tuesday to observe the launch. At a sending-off ceremony just hours before the launch, the president, who had just returned from visiting the United States, wished the three astronauts a successful journey. The missions members carry the nations space dream and represent the lofty aspirations of the Chinese people to explore space, Xi told the astronauts. I wish you success and look forward to your triumphant return. The carrier rocket blasted off at 5:38 pm. About 20 minutes later, Shenzhou X entered its orbit. Zhang Youxia, chief commander of the manned space program, announced the lift-off was a success. Xi responded by shaking hands