China launches Unmanned Shenzhou 8 Spacecraft

Commander-in-chief of China’s manned space program Chang Wanquan announced that the launch of Shenzhou 8 spacecraft is successful. The unmanned craft blasted off at 5:58 a.m. Beijing Time Tuesday on a Long March CZ-2F rocket at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Inner Mongolia.

Full Story: http://china.org.cn/china/shenzhou_8/node_7139210.htm

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Chinese Launch to Pave Way for Space Station

China will launch an unmanned module next week, paving the way for a planned space station, a spokesman for the space program said on Tuesday.

Tiangong-1, or “Heavenly Palace 1”, will blast off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northeast China’s Gansu Province between September 27 and 30, the spokesman said.

The 8.5-ton module, and the Long March II-F rocket that will carry it skyward, were positioned onto the launch pad on Tuesday, signaling that the project has entered the final preparation stage.

“Scientists will conduct final tests in the next few days before injecting propellants for the launch,” Cui Jijun, director of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, said.

 

 

Full Story: http://www.china.org.cn/china/2011-09/21/content_23457956.htm