[Jimmy Valentine]

The problem with the Chinese launching a man into space is that an hour later, they are going to want to do it again.

Has anyone told them that the real trick is not getting them up there, but getting them back here? In one piece?

Bet not

[B-Chan]

The Chinese have been bringing back capsules for decades. Their spy satellites, which are based on really old tech, don't beam back photos like ours do; instead, they send the exposed film from their spy-cams back to Earth inside capsules. These capsules are leftovers from the 1970s man-in-space program (cancelled by Chairman Mao) and they work, even though they use primitive technology. (One of the early models had a heat shield made out of carved oak. It survived re-entry just fine.)

The Chinese are not stupid. This space program has been carefully thought out with an eye to the future. One part of the Shenzhou that is different from the Russian Soyuz is its orbital module (the cylindrical thingie up front). Unlike the modeule on its Russian predecessor, the Shenzhou OM has its own solar panels and engines -- making it capable of independent operation. In effect, each Shenzhou launched comes with its own space station module up front! Obviously, the Chinese have something more elaborate than sending up a few cans full of the Right Stuff...