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| Shenzhou III returns to Earth |
| CCTV.COM 2002-04-02 10:04:07 |
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 China's third unmanned spacecraft, Shenzhou III is back on Earth. The spacecraft touched down in the central Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in north China about 5 pm local time on Monday. Officers say the successful launch and return of the space vehicle has laid a solid foundation for the country's plans to send a person into space.
When the module made its 108th pass around the earth, the survey vessel Yuanwang III, anchored in the Atlantic Ocean in the Southern Hemisphere, was ready to order the spacecraft's return home.
The returning module separated itself from the orbital section and touched down at a preset area. The orbital module was left to continue its path around the Earth for the coming months.
Chinese scientists will analyze information on instruments and experimental samples aboard the returning module. The returned section is expected to be sent back to Beijing in a couple of days.
Leading officers with the China Manned Space Program says the Shenzhou III is technically suitable for astronauts. Metabolic simulators, sensors to monitor human physical signs and dummy astronauts were all aboard the craft.
A week ago, the "Long March II F" carrier rocket boosted the spacecraft into orbit. The orbital flight lasted six days and 18 hours.
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Editor:Liu Hongji CCTV.com
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