Countdown to China´s first manned space flight

cctv.com 10-15-2003 08:48

The Shenzhou V manned spacecraft, wholly designed and developed by China, is ready to blast into space within hours. If the mission proves successful, China will become the third nation to send a man into space after the former Soviet Union and the United States.

China has upgraded the launch center in Jiuquan, located in northwestern China's Gansu Province, to ensure the success of this historic mission. Since 1999, the center has sent four unmanned rockets into space. A number of new facilities have been built there, including a workshop for vertical assembling of the vehicle with the rocket carrier, a launch tower, a command and control center, and an advanced system with four pipes capable of injecting fuel into the rocket and vehicle simultaneously. A 14-member rescue team has been formed to pinpoint any possible hitch, and promptly inform the monitoring system or the escape command panel of their final decision.

Other emergency facilities include an explosion-proof elevator, an escape slide and a shelter for astronauts. A leading expert at the center said the launch facility was now capable of transferring, assembling, testing and transporting rocket carriers and spacecraft.

Editor:Wang  Source:CCTV.com