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China's Second Manned Space Flight
desert island writes "As if to coincide with Russia's space tourist, Beijing News speculated that China's second manned space launch will occur after the October 1-7 holiday. The spacecraft Shenzhou VI, with two astronauts, will be launched from the Jiuquan Space Launch Center in northwest China's Gansu province and will last 119 hours." From the article: "The mission will differ markedly from China's first manned space voyage, the Shenzhou V, which was a solo flight that lasted 21 hours in October 2003. China's space program is still shrouded in secrecy with little known about events until several days before they happen. However since the success of the first manned flight, authorities have shown a little more transparency."
You can find more information in this Wikipedia article. Apparently the general time of the launch has been known for a while, because at the moment the article states a September or October launch (and a different Wikipedia article on the rockets themselves specifically states an October launch).
By the way, it looks as though it is shaping up to be a very interesting flight
The crew will change out of their new lighter space suits, conduct scientific experiments, and enter the orbital module. In addition, their menu will be expanded from 30 to 50 courses. A new toilet will also be available.
WARNING: If accidentally read, induce vomiting.
Her first mission was 1985, she joined NASA in 1978. She was also the Capcom for the most recent mission. See: Shannon Lucid.
Oh~ It is no news. The media in Hong Kong and China reports the launch of Shenzhou VI few months ago, which says:
- The spaceship will launch in the coming October
- 2 astronauts will be onboard
- 3 pairs of astronauts will be chosen for final stage training, and the authority will pick 1 pair before launch to carry our the mission
- Team work ability is an important criteria during the astronauts selection process
- The ship will fly for 5 days, five times more than Shenzhou V, and the authority claims that the stability and reliability of the ship has been improved.
- The carrying rocket is CZ-2F (Long March 2F), same as the one for Shenzhou V
- No spacewalk (will do it during the 3rd manned spaceflight, which is scheduled for 2007)
- The astronauts are allowed to take off their spacesuits when the ship is in orbit, which is different from the arrangement for Shenzhou V's astronaut.
- The astronauts will enter the "Orbit Module" and carry out experiments during the journey
- One of the experiments is to test the response of pig's sperms under space radiation
- Many delicious Chinese traditional food will be packed as space food for the astronauts, which will include spicy chicken, preserved vegetables, and assorted beans and rice
Source:
hk.news.yahoo.com
military.china.com
www.people.com.cn