China to Send First Chinese Astronaut into Space Before the End of This Year - 2003-01-02

Chinese state media today reported, citing Yuan Jie, a senior official of the China National Space Administration, that China's spacecraft named "Shenzhou 5" will take the first Chinese astronaut into orbit around the Earth before the end of this calendar year. This announcement came after the successful launch of the "Shenzhou 4" spacecraft, which was sent into space as a test flight without a crew, following three similar previous missions. The "Shenzhou 4" spacecraft is equipped with all necessary devices for manned missions and orbits the Earth every 90 minutes, testing life-support systems and other essential equipment for space travel. Chinese television broadcast images of this spacecraft, which launched from a site in the Gobi Desert on Monday. Jiang Zemin, the President of China, called this latest space launch a significant victory and urged all officials involved in China's space program to double their efforts and serve with a pioneering spirit in the peaceful development and utilization of outer space. The remarks of China's leader reflect the importance that Beijing places on its secretive space program. Unannounced space launches are seen as symbols of national pride and greatness for China. China sent its first uncrewed spacecraft into orbit in 1999, named "Yazdani spacecraft." If China succeeds in sending a crewed spacecraft, it will become the third country, after Russia and the United States, to send humans into space independently and not through other countries' spacecraft.