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Lift-off for China space mission (1965 - Gemini 4 redo)
BBC ^ | Sept 25, 2008 | Unknown

Posted on 09/25/2008 9:55:57 AM PDT by Islander7

China has launched its third manned space mission - which is to feature the country's first spacewalk.

The Shenzhou VII capsule soared into orbit atop a Long-March II-F rocket from the Jiuquan spaceport in Gansu province in the northwest of China.

The 70-hour flight will include a spacewalk undertaken by 42-year-old fighter pilot Zhai Zhigang.

Mr Zhai is joined on the mission by two other "yuhangyuan" (astronauts) - Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng.

The rocket lit up the darkness as it blasted off from Jiuquan at 2110 Beijing Time (1310 GMT).

Video of launch at site.

BBC

(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: china; moon; rockets; space
"You will definitely accomplish this glorious and sacred mission. The motherland and the people are looking forward to your triumphant return," President Hu told the yuhangyuan, who were dressed in flight suits and behind glass to avoid being exposed to germs.
1 posted on 09/25/2008 9:55:57 AM PDT by Islander7
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To: Islander7

I thought they already took off? The internet had the liftoff including actual quotes HOURS ago!

(I am serious)


2 posted on 09/25/2008 9:57:09 AM PDT by Mr. K (Some days even my lucky rocketship underpants don't help)
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To: Islander7

In other news, 3 Chinese “yuhangyuan” have landed near San Diego and have asked for Political Asylum.


3 posted on 09/25/2008 9:58:04 AM PDT by theDentist (Qwerty ergo typo : I type, therefore I misspelll.)
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To: Mr. K
According to the offical Chi-com news agency, they've already returned and "everything couldn't have been more successfully" http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2090185/posts

Owl_Eagle

There are people who are surrounded by bigots
and know it is wrong, but are afraid to be vocal against it.
These people are going to pull the lever for Obama
and they are not being polled.
angee_is_mad, DUmmy

4 posted on 09/25/2008 9:59:44 AM PDT by End Times Sentinel (In Memory of my Dear Friend Henry Lee II)
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To: Islander7

Oops!


5 posted on 09/25/2008 9:59:57 AM PDT by Islander7 ("Common sense and common decency are uncommon virtues among America's left.")
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To: Owl_Eagle
According to the offical Chi-com news agency, they've already returned and "everything couldn't have been more successfully"

Well, of course they have! You launch a Chinese astronaut and and hour later you gotta do it all over again!...........

6 posted on 09/25/2008 10:02:27 AM PDT by Red Badger (I'm gonna use "Sarah!" from NOW ON since Hillary uses "Hillary!"......)
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To: Islander7

Before someone mentions Leonov, it seems fit to mention: although Ed White wasn’t first, at least he didn’t get heatstroke or have to partially depressurize his suit to get back into the capsule.
Something done well always beat something done first and poorly.


7 posted on 09/25/2008 10:05:13 AM PDT by ClaudiusI
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To: Red Badger

Firecrackers to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. The first of The Chinese Century.


8 posted on 09/25/2008 10:06:55 AM PDT by massgopguy (I owe everything to George Bailey)
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To: massgopguy

I thought this was year of the Rat..........


9 posted on 09/25/2008 10:08:24 AM PDT by Red Badger (I'm gonna use "Sarah!" from NOW ON since Hillary uses "Hillary!"......)
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To: Islander7
"You will definitely accomplish this glorious and sacred mission. The motherland and the people are looking forward to your triumphant return," President Hu told the yuhangyuan

Hu are you? Hu Hu, Hu Hu!
10 posted on 09/25/2008 10:10:37 AM PDT by reagan_fanatic ("And how can this be? For I am the Kwisatz Haderach! " - Barack Obama)
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To: massgopguy

The next Year of the Dragon doesn’t start until Jan 2012......

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_zodiac


11 posted on 09/25/2008 10:11:15 AM PDT by Red Badger (I'm gonna use "Sarah!" from NOW ON since Hillary uses "Hillary!"......)
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To: ClaudiusI

Good point!


12 posted on 09/25/2008 10:13:11 AM PDT by Islander7 ("Common sense and common decency are uncommon virtues among America's left.")
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To: Islander7
They used a Clinton Booster rocket to achieve orbit.
13 posted on 09/25/2008 10:22:35 AM PDT by BallyBill (Serial Hit-N-Run poster)
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To: Islander7; Allegra; big'ol_freeper; Lil'freeper; TrueKnightGalahad; blackie; Larry Lucido; ...
Zhai? Oh, Zhai? Have you... passed the Russian capsule yet?

I don't think... he has swallowed it yet, Bender!

Now, you call me... if you need me!

14 posted on 09/25/2008 10:37:58 AM PDT by Bender2 ("I've got a twisted sense of humor, and everything amuses me." RAH Beyond this Horizon)
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To: Islander7

I often think that history will put Nixon’s axing the Space Program (for whatever valid reasons or invalid) as akin to the Chinese Emperor recalling his fleet from the Lower East Coast of Africa barely 50 years before Columbus reached the Carib and VascoDaGama Goa.

Wait til the Chinese send a man to the moon, leave him there and keep adding modules and personnel.

They don’t have to follow the American model of bringing them back. Send them there and prepare the permanent presence right away.


15 posted on 09/25/2008 10:42:09 AM PDT by swarthyguy (Wall Street, the BIGGEST Welfare Drama Queen. EVER.)
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