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China Plans Manned Space Flight October 15

epmos writes "As previously reported on /., China is working toward launching a manned space flight Real Soon Now(tm). Many news sites have stories suggesting it could be as soon as a week away. The flight is expected to last about 90 minutes and complete one orbit." According to some of these stories, though, there's speculation about the flight lasting up to 24 hours.

18 of 362 comments (clear)

  1. Low gravity eating? by PFactor · · Score: 4, Funny

    Were this to be a longer flight, how would they solve the problem of eating with chopsticks in low gravity?

    --
    Don't believe anything I say. I crash test crack pipes for a living.
    1. Re:Low gravity eating? by jargoone · · Score: 2, Funny

      I'll also pretend you're being half serious.

      I don't know about you, but I don't always use a fork like a spoon, i.e. like a shovel. I tend to use those points on the fork for, you know, stabbing stuff. I think that would be rather effective in space.

    2. Re:Low gravity eating? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      If only they had plates in space! I for one look forward to this invention. I'm sure this will start a new space race for the best utensils and dishes. When the Chinese realize that, although a man who can catch a fly (or flying piece of steak) with chopsticks can accomplish anything, they'll surely have to face the reality that individual grains of rice are much harder to eat in sufficient quantities in zero-G, thus possibly leading to the space-bowl. It will only be a matter of time before our own astronauts realize chasing small globules of tang around the cargo-bay of the space shuttle is too time consuming and we will counter with some form of space-drinking-glass. The civilian sector can only benefit from such competition, as capitalism and imperialist arms races have shown throughout history. I look forward to the day when I can sip a capri-sun without danger of spilling while hanging upside down from the monkey bars, suspended by my velcro shoes, and enjoying a steak that can be cut with a knife and stabbed with a fork, thanks to the wonderous space-plate which provides the equal and opposite force which Newton requires for me to enjoy a cut of beef, with A-1 of couse.

  2. Blimey by JohnGrahamCumming · · Score: 4, Funny

    [1800s-style Imperialist Brit Mode On]
    Next you'll be telling us that old Johnny Chinaman has gained mastery
    over the atom and created a doomsday weapon ready to threaten our
    very own God-fearing people.

    Well never fear gentle-people, in my new steam-o-matic flying machine
    I'll quickly handle this yellow menace so your children can sleep
    soundly!

    God Bless Queen Victoria
    [1800s-style Imperialist Brit Mode Off]

  3. The 60's called... by pdbogen · · Score: 3, Funny

    They want their space program back.

    (Sorry. :()

  4. I bet... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    ...90 minutes later, they'll have the urge to orbit again.

  5. This will prove the conspiracy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Once they make it to the moon and notice that there is no flag, footprints, or left over rocket parts, then we'll know that the "one small step for mankind" occured somewhere in the Arizona desert.

  6. Kungpao Chicken for the Taikonauts by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny


    My favorite quote from today's news regarding the Chinese space mission is from this story:

    "They'll be able to eat shredded pork with garlic sauce and kungpao chicken," China.com said. "It will be more tasty than Western food."

    1. Re:Kungpao Chicken for the Taikonauts by infinite9 · · Score: 2, Funny

      "It will be more tasty than Western food."
      Yeah, but will they be hungry again an hour later?

      --
      Disconnect your television. Do your own research. Draw your own conclusions. They're probably lying. Don't be a sheep.
  7. knowing china by gfody · · Score: 4, Funny

    they have some well thought out elaborate plans already to inhabit the moon.. I don't blame them, it must be getting crowded over there.

    --

    bite my glorious golden ass.
  8. Re:A scary concept by perly-king-69 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Great, a repressive country that hates the entire planet, has nuclear weapons, is mentally unstable, and now can send people into orbit.

    Enough about the USA, what about China?

    --

    --
    This sig is inoffensive.

  9. Dominoes by Joe+the+Lesser · · Score: 1, Funny

    Next then you know, Mars won't be called the Red planet due to it's color.

    --
    "I only speak the truth"
    Karma: null(Mostly affected by an unassigned variable)
  10. How many orbits? by Crolis · · Score: 4, Funny

    The news article says they are planning a single orbit, but you know how it goes: one hour later and they will feel like they need to orbit again.

    -Crolis

  11. More outsourcing in our future... by hirschma · · Score: 4, Funny

    Today's story:

    BEIJING, Oct. 8 -- After a decade of preparation, China will launch its first human being into space on Oct. 15 in a 90-minute flight that will orbit the Earth once, a major Chinese Web site reported in one of the most concrete signs yet that the landmark trip is imminent.

    In 2013:

    BEIJING, Oct. 15 - As part of a celebration of its first decade of manned space flight, China announces an agreement with the USA's NASA space agency to outsource all space-related operations. An unnamed NASA official said: "Well, they can do it cheaper than we can - we can hire three taikonauts for what it costs us to loft one astronaut - and who cares if some foreigners get killed repairing our satellites?"

    In related news, all remaining astronauts have been informed that their services are no longer needed, and offered placement services for lucrative positions in the fast food industries.

  12. I wonder if the side of the rocket.... by Lester67 · · Score: 4, Funny

    will say "Made In China"?

  13. Great by frode · · Score: 2, Funny


    Great chineese food delivery goes orbital. I bet they'll be making devileries to the ISS by 2006.

    Possible names for their space crafts:
    1) The General Tso
    2) The Sweet and Sour Shuttle
    3) The Communist Surprise

    --
    I have no .Sig
  14. Re:A scary concept by Anonym1ty · · Score: 1, Funny

    I do find most Americans abroad are quite loud and obnoxious, but on the times I have visited your country I've only experienced courtesy and service of the highest order.

    The reason you experience all of those Americans abroad is because we can't stand them either.

    ---This is America do it our way or get out.... Those people got out.
  15. Re:X-Prize by JavaLord · · Score: 2, Funny

    The X Prize does not involve going into orbit.

    Why do you slashdot people always have to get so technical? It's not like this stuff is rocket science...

    oh wait a second........