Shenzhou V: Great Pioneering of China's Space Dream

　　From December 30, 2002 to January 5, 2003, Shenzhou IV was launched into space to finish the last unmanned space flight before the first manned flight took place. The technological level of the Shenzhou IV was the same as that of the manned spacecraft.

　　Finally came Shenzhou V. Its maiden voyage has unequivocally brought the initial phase of the nation's ambitious manned space programme to fruition. The Chinese dream of flying to space has finally become a reality.

　　 A Triumph in High Technology

　　Chief designer of the Shenzhou V Qi Faren said, "Although we are several decades behind the former Soviet Union and the United States in manned space flight, we take pride in the technologies used in the Shenzhou, all of which were developed by Chinese scientists and are on par with the most advanced space technology of the 1990s."

　　Since China's manned space programme was initiated in January 1992, tens of thousands of scientists, engineers and technicians from more than 3,000 institutes and organizations across China have been involved in the space programme. The programme is composed of seven major systems: astronauts, space application, spaceships, carrier rockets, launch bases, monitoring and control and landing bases, all of which are vital to the success of manned flights.

　　The spaceship and astronaut systems in particular have drawn most public attention. According to Qi Faren, another chief designer of the Shenzhou V, our country's spaceship is now more comfortable and boasts more advantages than similar foreign spaceships. China's spaceship utilizes the three-capsule design, bypassing the single and double module stages.

　　Shenzhou's re-entry capsule is 2.5 meters in diameter -- larger than the current 2.2-meter Russian Soyuz TMA spaceship. The capsule is designed to accommodate three astronauts to work comfortably in the cabin in carrying out scientific experiments.

　　Powered by two large solar panels, Shenzhou's orbit module can continue to function for more than six months after the return of the re-entry module.

　　Other key components ensuring that the spaceship is handled perfectly and safely in the flight is choosing the right astronaut. Yang Liwei, now a colonel of the People's Liberation Army, was selected. He completed his flawless space voyage as the first Chinese astronaut and returned in good shape.