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[AFP] China's Shenzhou VI a Leap forward from Maiden Voyage
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2005-10-18 08:44:17
AFP
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Although it was only China's second manned space flight, Shenzhou VI was in many ways a great leap forward compared from the maiden space voyage in 2003.
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China became just the third country after the United States and the former Soviet Union to put a man in space in October 2003 with the Shenzhou V mission.
The basic launch module technology of Shenzhou V and VI is identical, but experts have been able to count about 100 novelties.
When China's first man in space Yang Liwei spent 21 hours orbiting the Earth 14 times in Shenzhou V, he did not leave his seat, take off his space suit or conduct any experiments.
Astronauts Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng aboard Shenzhou VI, which blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in Inner Mongolia last Wednesday, were much busier than Yang.
Fei and Nie conducted a series of experiments and manoeuvres, including leaving the re-entry capsule and entering the orbital capsule, shedding their bulky suits and donning ordinary work clothes so they could move around easily.
Work also included the testing of the environmental control and life support systems inside the craft.
During their time in space, the astronauts successfully fired rockets to adjust the craft's altitude, ensuring it remained in its pre-planned orbit - which was crucial for its return to Earth, according to the mission control bureau.
A mission as long as five days meant facilities also needed to cater for basic needs. Shenzhou VI carried enough food, water and oxygen for a seven-day mission, although planners had expected it to spend just five days in orbit.
The spacecraft contained a full larder of Chinese specialities including cuttlefish and meat balls, and beef with orange peel.
The menu was much more extensive than that of the first manned mission in 2003, offering 50 varieties of food instead of the previous 20.
Two years ago, Yang ate only cold meals because the last spacecraft did not have a food heater.
But Fei and Nie dined on heated food including rice, dehydrated vegetables and a wide assortment of fruit - strawberries, bananas and the very sweet Chinese "Hami" melon.
Naturally, Fei and Nie also became the first Chinese to use a toilet in space. Nie was also the first Chinese to spend his birthday in space.
From mission control in Beijing, Nie's daughter sang "Happy Birthday" to her father, who was celebrating his 41st birthday.
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Producer: Guo Kai & Wei Xiangnan
