Safe landing for Chinese astronauts

cctv.com 10-17-2005 08:49

China's second manned spacecraft, Shenzhou-6, has returned home after successfully completing its five-day mission orbiting Earth. The spacecraft blasted off Wednesday morning and touched down just hours ago at a landing site in North China's Inner Mongolia.

The re-entry capsule had a smooth touchdown and was soon spotted by a rescue helicopter.

The re-entry module, which returned to earth after a five-day space flight, landed one kilometer away from the preset spot.

Its space trip lasted 115.5 hours. This was more than five times that of China's maiden manned spaceflight two years ago.

Rescuers who located the re-entry capsule gave the two astronauts a check-up shortly, and advised them to get out of the capsule by themselves.

Doctors said both are in good health and all physical indicators are normal after medical checkup.

The astronauts got out of the capsule unaided, and were given seats and flowers.

They thanked the Chinese people for their support, concern and support of the people, and waved to the welcoming crowd.

Fei Junlong, Shenzhou 6 astrpnaut, said, "The living and working conditions inside the spacecraft were very good. I'm feeling well. Thank you! "

Nie Haisheng, Shenzhou 6 astrpnaut, said, "We felt that many, many people were caring about us, I want to thank the the nation and its people for their concern!"

Astronauts Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng, took a light meal -- chocolate with Chinese herbal tea.

Nie's appetite showed, when he took a bowl of instant noodles afterward.

The mission saw experiments carried out, technical data accumulated, and experience gained, for the development of China's manned space program.

Experts said experiments on the spacecraft's reliability, physical responses to space, and the tests of various equipments all produced satisfying results.

Fei and Nie blasted off two years after China's first manned spaceflight. China is the third country to put humans into space, following Russia and the United States.

The mission aimed to test China's capability in carrying out a manned space flight with more than one person, and lasting more than one day... in addition to carrying out experiments in space.

Editor:Chen Zhuo  Source:CCTV.com