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Another Taikonaut Launch This Week
JPThorne writes "BBC Online is reporting that China will launch a manned space mission sometime between Wednesday and Sunday of this week. Two as yet unnamed Chinese Astronauts will undertake the mission." From the article: "The launch comes almost exactly two years after China's first manned space flight, which made astronaut Yang Liwei a national hero. Unlike the last mission, Xinhua said a live broadcast of the launch would be provided to foreign media. Analysts say the fact the authorities are being more open about this launch may indicate that they are more confident of its success. "
And, of course, despite all the hype the SpaceShipOne flight really wasn't comparable, being suborbital with no reasonable extension that would make it orbital.
Negative. China's Yang Liwei flew before Mike Melville, by about 1 year. The current order (SS1 being retired notwithstanding) of successful manned space access is: Russia, China, Burt Rutan, NASA. Russia is of course the 800-lb gorilla in this equation.
Check out America's Space Prize for something that might beat NASA back to indiginous American orbital flight. The current ASP award date beats the first manned CEV flight NASA is planning.
I'd really like to see a private, American effort beat everyone else back to the Moon.
Josh
gigantino.tv - Heavy but weighs nothing.
Except that the Chinese Government did it before Rutan. And Rutan's never put anyone in orbit.
Wanna bet China reaches the moon before we go back
Yes, I would. If China succeeds in there next mission they will equal the result of Gemini 4. That puts them only 40 years behind. Remember that they got a jump start too by buying Russion Soyuz spacecraft. Their booster is similar to a Proton. When China produces a real innovation I'll take notice. In the meantime they are also rans.
Meanwhile, back in the US, the Republicans claim they want to take us back to space but aren't willing to put their money where their mouth is (though they're quite happy to cut funding for robotic exploration in order to free up the funds!)
What??? NASA's budget continues to grow in real terms. Robotic exploration of the solar system has never been in better shape. You have the wildly successful Cassini. We have two excellent orbiters circling Mars with a 3rd more powerful one on the way. The Mars rovers are arguably the most successful robotic exploration mission in history! There is another huge rover headed there in 2009, a new Lunar Orbiter... What are you talking about?
and NASA's manned space division doesn't seem to be able to get its act together enough to actually give us a safer orbiter, never mind something that can take us to the Moon or Mars.
NASA has proposed a very workable and exciting exploration plan with the CEV. The major launch components are already there. Where is the risk in its design? NASA kept the wheels on the shuttle program admirably. Nobody can make it safe. The CEV goes back to what works. Real skepticism is healthy. Your nihilism is not.
an ill wind that blows no good
According to various Chinese news sources, the launch will take place at 9:30AM 10/12 China time. Which is today.
Excuse me?. China can already do that, and has had that capability for a while. Sending ICBMs and sending men into orbit are completely different things. So, how does this new knowledge make you feel, huh?