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| China spacecraft returns to Earth | China spacecraft returns to Earth |
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| China's Shenzhou VII space capsule has returned to Earth after a successful mission orbiting the planet. | China's Shenzhou VII space capsule has returned to Earth after a successful mission orbiting the planet. |
| The spacecraft touched down in the Mongolian desert to rapturous applause from mission control in Beijing. | |
| Looking well, the three astronauts emerged to wave to cameras before being given bouquets of flowers. | Looking well, the three astronauts emerged to wave to cameras before being given bouquets of flowers. |
| While in orbit they conducted experiments said to be crucial to China's space programme, as well as its first space walk. | While in orbit they conducted experiments said to be crucial to China's space programme, as well as its first space walk. |
| Mission leader and fighter pilot Zhai Zhigang, 42, was first to emerge from the capsule, and is now set to be greeted as a national hero. | |
| "It was a glorious mission, full of challenges with a successful end," he said. "We feel proud of the motherland." | |
| 1958: Base for spaceflights built at Jiuquan, in Gobi desertApril 1970: China launches its first satellite into space1990-2002: Shenzhou I-IV are launched to develop systems Oct 2003: The first manned space mission launches on Shenzhou VOct 2005: The Shenzhou VI mission takes two men into space Oct 2007: Chang'e-1 orbiter sent on unmanned mission to the Moon | |
| Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, who was watching at mission control, applauded warmly and called the three men heroes. | |
| "The complete success of the manned Shenzhou VII is a great stride forward for China's space technology," he said. | |
| Pride | Pride |
| During Saturday's space-walk, Mr Zhai stayed outside the capsule for 15 minutes while his two fellow astronauts stayed inside. | |
| The exercise was seen as key to China's ambition to build an orbiting station in the next few years. | |
| Mr Zhai wore a Chinese-made spacesuit thought to have cost between £5m and £20m ($10m-$40m) for the space walk. | Mr Zhai wore a Chinese-made spacesuit thought to have cost between £5m and £20m ($10m-$40m) for the space walk. |
| The "yuhangyuan" (astronaut) was tethered to the capsule with an umbilical cable. | The "yuhangyuan" (astronaut) was tethered to the capsule with an umbilical cable. |
| The Shenzhou VII capsule soared into orbit on a Long March II-F rocket from Jiuquan spaceport in north-west China on 25 September. | The Shenzhou VII capsule soared into orbit on a Long March II-F rocket from Jiuquan spaceport in north-west China on 25 September. |
| China became only the third nation after the United States and Russia to independently put a man in space when Yang Liwei, another fighter pilot, went into orbit on the Shenzhou V mission in October 2003. | China became only the third nation after the United States and Russia to independently put a man in space when Yang Liwei, another fighter pilot, went into orbit on the Shenzhou V mission in October 2003. |
| Two years later, Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng completed a five-day flight on Shenzhou VI. | Two years later, Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng completed a five-day flight on Shenzhou VI. |
| Chinese media report that this latest mission is the "most critical step" in the country's "three-step" space programme. | Chinese media report that this latest mission is the "most critical step" in the country's "three-step" space programme. |
| These stages are: sending a human into orbit, docking spacecraft together to form a small laboratory and, ultimately, building a large space station. | These stages are: sending a human into orbit, docking spacecraft together to form a small laboratory and, ultimately, building a large space station. |
| The Shenzhou VIII and IX missions are expected to help set up a space laboratory complex in 2010. | The Shenzhou VIII and IX missions are expected to help set up a space laboratory complex in 2010. |
| China launched an unmanned Moon probe last year about one month after rival Japan blasted its own lunar orbiter into space. | China launched an unmanned Moon probe last year about one month after rival Japan blasted its own lunar orbiter into space. |
| SHENZHOU VII SPACECRAFT 1. Forward orbital module - crew live and work in this section, which contains scientific equipment. In future missions, this module may remain in orbit as part of a Chinese space station2. Re-entry capsule - contains seats for three crew3. Propulsion module - contains spacecraft's power unit and liquid fuel rocket system4. Solar panels - spacecraft carries one pair of solar panels5. Spacewalk - One yuhangyuan (astronaut) exits the orbital module on a tether. Another crew member stands just inside to assist in case of an emergency | SHENZHOU VII SPACECRAFT 1. Forward orbital module - crew live and work in this section, which contains scientific equipment. In future missions, this module may remain in orbit as part of a Chinese space station2. Re-entry capsule - contains seats for three crew3. Propulsion module - contains spacecraft's power unit and liquid fuel rocket system4. Solar panels - spacecraft carries one pair of solar panels5. Spacewalk - One yuhangyuan (astronaut) exits the orbital module on a tether. Another crew member stands just inside to assist in case of an emergency |