China launches first manned space flight

Reuters ^ | 10-14-03

[Brian S]

Wed 15 October, 2003 02:07 BST

BEIJING (Reuters) - China has launched its first manned space flight from the Gobi desert, Xinhua news agency says, in its bid to become the third country to put a man in orbit after the former Soviet Union and the United States.

The Shenzhou V, or "Divine Ship V", was expected to orbit the Earth 14 times before returning after about 21 hours.

Xinhua said the craft carried astronaut Yang Liwei, 38. The launch on Wednesday, 42 years after the Soviet Union put the first man into space, marked a milestone for China's secretive space programme, which analysts say has its sights set on a manned mission to the moon.

[The_Media_never_lie]

I bet that if Wong Wei survived his "duel" with our surveilance plane in '01 he would be the one in orbit now.

Too bad went Wong Wei.

[Joe Hadenuf]

There are really significant cultural and linguistic divisions...and even physical appearance differences... between the various parts of China; it only SEEMS like a giant homogenous block.

In compared to the U.S. they're all identical twins....

[John H K]

The arguement that China is so diversified i.e., isn't one big block or one race is foolish thinking. It may seen so but they are all Chinese first. Is that the case in this country? LOL Better look around man! Believe what you want. It's only my opinion.

That's what they WANT you to believe, of course.

I'm not the one that's a clueless sucker for Chicom propaganda.

[Lazamataz]

There are really significant cultural and linguistic divisions...and even physical appearance differences... between the various parts of China; it only SEEMS like a giant homogenous block.

Not to mention their little Islam problem towards the west.

[Paulie]

I certainly hope there's a space race too. I watched the launch on TV (not live)and it reminded me of the Apollo days. I tell you I felt such national pride I can't even describe it to you. I'll bet the average Chinese feels the same thing.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Yup.....

[Brian S]

Russia gave them a lot of technical help

I posted a thread related to that earlier. Search on "russia china" and you can read it.

[FReepaholic]

>>...First Chinese astronaut in orbit reports in: `I feel good.`...<<

Hey, James Brown stowed away on that thing!

[GeronL]

Private American citizens will have to compete with China

[SSN558]

I am happy for the Chinese, they have excellent and dedicated engineers and scientists with the backing of their government and people to explore new fronteirs.

I am sad for America. We lost the edge and mired ourselves in socialism, free trade, wasteful bureaurcracy, and a war on terror. Our greatness has been squandered and will take decades to rebuild it, if that is even possible.

[RightWhale]

I'll bet the average Chinese feels the same thing.

They have been working for this for years. Chinese children have dreamed of this. The whole country is going crazy with pride right now, and it won't stop for a long time, probably not until the sun goes cold. We can still whup them in space, but we have to get moving sometime soon.

[John H K]

In compared to the U.S. they're all identical twins....

Only because you're not Chinese. Studies show people really do think all other races all look alike.

China has a 3000+ year history of alternating between unification under a dictatorial central government, and violent warlordism and civil war after breaking down into numerous regional entitities.

They're about due to cycle back to the Civil War part.

[maui_hawaii]

The real reason behind the Cox Report too.

[Tree of Liberty]

X Prize

Burt Rutan will likely walk away with it within the year.

[RightWhale]

`I feel good.`...

I feeeel GOOD

Actually, I have a pain in the gut over this. We should have been on the moon to stay 30 years ago.

[Joe Hadenuf]

China wants the world, they will get it. Do you really believe the US is bound to stay on top forever. We have already lost our edge.

In all honesty, I tend to agree. Just look at our cities, the crime, the socialist, liberals, homosexuals, enviro freaks, and the epic chaos that is being created by this fedgov approved invasion by millions of uneducated illegals into our country.

[11B3]

"DU is celebrating this like it's a huge victory against the USA, which it is."

It isn't just over at DU - we've got 'em here too.....And with their attitudes their prophecy will come to pass. It's a challenge, not a defeat - they're just in 1961. No, America didn't show off its' best and newest technology in Iraq. Why should we show our cards to the third string challenger? Our enemies think we are transparent in our military research - and it is in our best interests to let them keep thinking that way. Unfortunately for us in here that tend to give a damn where this nation is headed, the lack of any positive things to point to in our inventory as of late is frustrating as hell.

But if push were to come to shove for real (or for keeps), I think we'd all be quite surprised what black projects have been deployed - and the level of technology they use - without anyone's knowledge. We didn't stop with the W-88, or the MX, or the space shuttle. Our scientific and research communities didn't stop working in the '70s when those programs were designed. How far have they come in 30+ years? How many space launches have mysteriously gone awry exoatmospheric? Who saw these craft disintegrate? What were they really carrying? Think about that.

[Momaw Nadon]

Now China is sending a man into space. Why?

[Brian S]

I am happy for the Chinese, they have excellent and dedicated engineers and scientists with the backing of their government and people to explore new fronteirs.

I am sad for America. We lost the edge and mired ourselves in socialism, free trade, wasteful bureaurcracy, and a war on terror. Our greatness has been squandered and will take decades to rebuild it, if that is even possible.

Ditto your remarks.... I would like to think the USA would puck its head of out its "New World Order" ass and get back to "nation building"....OUR NATION, THE USA!!!

[RightWhale]

Private American citizens will have to compete with China

Can be done. There are a few roadblocks, but the President could clear the way with a couple of Executive Orders. Private property rights in outer space for one thing.