A senior space engineer said in Beijing Sunday that
China's second manned space vessel will include experiments with
direct human participation for the first time.
Wang Yongzhi, chief general designer of the Manned
Spaceflight Program, said Shenzhou VI will enable astronauts to do
scientific experiments in space, taking advantage of the unique
vacuum, highly radiant and low gravity environment.
China became the third nation to conduct a manned
space flight when it launched Shenzhou V in October 2003, carrying
sole astronaut Yang Liwei, who did not leave his seat during his
one-day flight around the earth 14 times.
The second manned mission is expected to be
launched in a few days to come, carrying two astronauts for a
five-day flight.
Wang said that following Shenzhou VI's flight,
China has greater plans such as a space walk, docking a capsule
with a space module, launch of a space lab and setting up a
permanent space lab.
"Manned space flight, the most complicated and
difficult aerospace project, demonstrates a nation's scientific
research and economic strength," he said. "It's a major means to
expand human living space and tap and use space resources."
"China will never be a superpower, but as the
world's biggest developing country with 1.3 billion people, it
should have a place in aerospace development and make due
contributions."
(Xinhua News Agency October 10, 2005)