'100 day countdown' to China's first astronaut

NewScientist.com news service ^ | 16:53 22 July 03 | Editorial Staff

[vannrox]

 

'100 day countdown' to China's first astronaut

  16:53 22 July 03
  NewScientist.com news service

  China is on course to become only the third nation ever to place a human in space, following press reports that the first crewed flight will take place in 100 days. A government source told the state-controlled news service Wen Wei Po that the launch would take place within this timeframe. No official date for launch has been set.

There has already been some speculation that China's National Space Administration may target 1 October, the date on which the People's Republic of China was founded. But independent space analyst James Oberg says this date is unlikely to be fixed. "They appear to be quite responsible in flying only when they are ready and it shows," he says.

Secret crew

So far, China has successfully launched four uncrewed Shenzhou spacecraft. The last of these blasted off in January 2003 and was fitted with human life support systems. The size of the crew planned for the first flight remains a secret, as does their identity. Fourteen potential astronauts, known as Yuhangyans, have undergone training at Beijing Aerospace City.

Placing a human in space would be a matter of great national prestige for China, as only Russia and the US have managed the feat. Oberg says China's space programme has made significant use of the experiences of the Russian and US programmes.

He suggests up to three astronauts could be aboard Shenzhou V, which could stay in orbit for up to six days. "But that's the major unknown," he told New Scientist.

Moon missions

According to Wen Wei Po report, the launch of Shenzhou V will take place during the day, in contrast to previous missions. Extremely low night-time temperatures have forced previous missions to be delayed.

The capsule will be launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, on the edge of the Gobi Desert, in north-western Gansu.

China is also pushing ahead with ambitious plans to send uncrewed craft to explore the Moon. China plans to put a probe in orbit around the Moon in 2005, followed by a simple lander in 2010 and, finally, a vehicle capable of returning samples to Earth in 2020.

Ye Shuhua, from the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, revealed new details of the orbital mission at the International Astronomical Union meeting in Sydney on Monday. Ye said the orbiter would have cameras, gamma and X-ray spectrometers, laser range finders and high-energy particle detectors.

[vannrox]

"...Oberg says China's space programme has made significant use of the experiences of the Russian and US programmes..."

[msdrby]

space ping

[DB]

I feel bad for the poor sucker that has to ride it.

[af_vet_rr]

I get the feeling at times that some in our government aren't taking the Chinese seriously. If they pull this off, and make it to the moon, somebody needs to start rethinking some things.

[Conspiracy Guy]

The starving hordes and the failing Chinese banking system will rejoice in this triumph.

[debaryfl]

LOL.

China will continue to launch "uncrewed craft" until they manage to bring one back with someone in fit condition to parade before the world.

[staytrue]

China does not have starving hordes and the banking system is probably in about the same condition as Fannie Mae which is pretty bad.

[Conspiracy Guy]

I'm still looking for some other recent economic reports but here is the last FR post on Chinese Banks

[Frank_Discussion]

Well, of course, their technology is just Soooo bad, eh?

Not. The capsule is probably quite adequate for what they want to do, and to underestimate their space efforts is generally a bad idea.

If that is what you are getting at, DB.

[snopercod]

flag

[Nucluside]

Hot Damn!!! Take out and cheap toys on the moon!!!

[Conspiracy Guy]

LSHPIP!

[bonesmccoy]

quote: James Oberg says this date is unlikely to be fixed. "They appear to be quite responsible in flying only when they are ready and it shows," he says

comment: Sounds like Jim O is taking a dig at NASA management. Great line!

[Doc Savage]

OK, China is so smart, eh? Now exactly how does this guy plan to cook stir-fry on the moon? Will he be taking a mini-wok? And with weight an issue, exactly how many of those tasty little minature corn on the cobs will he be allowed to have? Answer that Mr. smarty-pants!

[Conspiracy Guy]

Looks like this thread has died. RIP Chinese space program thread.

[DB]

Gee it's been only 40 years since Russia and America did it...

Ya, Chinese technology is really on top of things...

They steal much of what you call "their" technology.

Ever bought any Chinese made “tools”?

[Prodigal Son]

100 day countdown?
I hope they don't have the poor bastard who's going to be flying this thing suited up and sitting in the capsule already.

[XBob]

13 - ""They appear to be quite responsible in flying only when they are ready and it shows," he says "


If that were the case with NASA, the shuttle still wouldn't be flying. (Gee - come to think of it, it isn't, after 20+ years, it's still not ready )

[bonesmccoy]

Uh, who are you talking to?

[Frank_Discussion]

All, I'm trying to get across is that rocket science isn't magic. Chinese space technology, as behind as it may be, is at least on par with the old Mercury capsules.

One more thing: Their vehicle is a modified Soyuz, bought from Russia. They have a head star developmentally, as the Soyuz is actually a good vehicle.

No matter what you think about China's technology or bizarre-ness, don't underestimate them.