China Quiet on Manned Space Flight
Times of India Kolkata, October 8, 2003
Beijin: After 11 years of planning to join the space faring elite, China is on the brink of making history and reaping a propaganda windfall by launching the nation's first manned space flight. But as the hour approaches, the communist government is staying silent about a launch date and other details, wary of risking the damage of public setbacks.
"They don't want to commit themselves," said Philip Clark, a British expert on the Chinese programme.
A successful manned launch would stand as a testament to China's economic and technical progress, winning Beijing respect abroad and - more importantly - approval at home.
Chinese leaders long ago traded in leftist ideology for economic reform and, battered by corruption scandals, have used such flag waving appeals to nationalism to bind the nation together.
The launch would come 42 years after Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to orbit the Earth. But China would still be only the third country capable of manned space flight, vaulting it ahead of Japan and European countries, which have only unmanned programmes.
And China would be accomplishing something that even the United States, with its space shuttle fleet grounded following the Columbia disaster, can't do right now. Still. Some Chinese complain privately that the programme is a waste of money in a society where the average person makes about $700 a year. China hasn't released the identities of its first astronauts, 12 military pilots who, according to state media, were picked up among 2000 applicants. Newspapers say that they all are about 30 years old and 5 feet 7 inches tall.
They have been dubbed 'taikonauts' in English [pronounced locally Ty-Koo-Nawts]. In Chinese they are 'yuhangyuan' or travellers of the universe. At least one of them will go up before the end of October, state media say. And the Beijing backed Hong Kong newspaper Ta Kung Pao said that it would happen sometime after Friday. That could coincide with the meeting of the Communist Party's ruling inner circle that convenes on Saturday, allowing President Hu Jin Tao and other leaders to be shown on state television talking with the crew in orbit.
The Shenzhou pr 'Divine Vessel' capsule is based on Russia's Soyuz vessel with extensive modifications.
China bought Russian space suits and a life support system though officials stress that everything sent up will be made in China. AP
*******
Colonel,
This is why I don't underestimate China. Third nation in the world to launch manned space flight!
Times of India Kolkata, October 8, 2003
Beijin: After 11 years of planning to join the space faring elite, China is on the brink of making history and reaping a propaganda windfall by launching the nation's first manned space flight. But as the hour approaches, the communist government is staying silent about a launch date and other details, wary of risking the damage of public setbacks.
"They don't want to commit themselves," said Philip Clark, a British expert on the Chinese programme.
A successful manned launch would stand as a testament to China's economic and technical progress, winning Beijing respect abroad and - more importantly - approval at home.
Chinese leaders long ago traded in leftist ideology for economic reform and, battered by corruption scandals, have used such flag waving appeals to nationalism to bind the nation together.
The launch would come 42 years after Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to orbit the Earth. But China would still be only the third country capable of manned space flight, vaulting it ahead of Japan and European countries, which have only unmanned programmes.
And China would be accomplishing something that even the United States, with its space shuttle fleet grounded following the Columbia disaster, can't do right now. Still. Some Chinese complain privately that the programme is a waste of money in a society where the average person makes about $700 a year. China hasn't released the identities of its first astronauts, 12 military pilots who, according to state media, were picked up among 2000 applicants. Newspapers say that they all are about 30 years old and 5 feet 7 inches tall.
They have been dubbed 'taikonauts' in English [pronounced locally Ty-Koo-Nawts]. In Chinese they are 'yuhangyuan' or travellers of the universe. At least one of them will go up before the end of October, state media say. And the Beijing backed Hong Kong newspaper Ta Kung Pao said that it would happen sometime after Friday. That could coincide with the meeting of the Communist Party's ruling inner circle that convenes on Saturday, allowing President Hu Jin Tao and other leaders to be shown on state television talking with the crew in orbit.
The Shenzhou pr 'Divine Vessel' capsule is based on Russia's Soyuz vessel with extensive modifications.
China bought Russian space suits and a life support system though officials stress that everything sent up will be made in China. AP
*******
Colonel,
This is why I don't underestimate China. Third nation in the world to launch manned space flight!
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