Oct 17, 2005
Chinese astronauts return to Earth safely
BEIJING - China's second manned space mission returned safely to
Earth early on Monday after a successful five-day flight, in the
latest chapter in China's ambitious drive to become a global space
power.
Astronauts Fei Junlong, (left), and Nie Haisheng holding flowers
after landing in northern China on Monday. Both astronauts were
given a clean bill of health. -- AP
Astronauts Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng were given a clean bill of
health after the reentry capsule of their Shenzhou VI spacecraft
glided to Earth on a parachute, ending up in Inner Mongolia, Xinhua
news agency said.
Emerging from the module, television pictures showed the two take a
few seconds to adjust to the Earth's gravity before being presented
with bouquets of flowers and waving to assembled recovery teams and
ground control staff.
Mission control declared the mission a success, Xinhua said.
Capsule landed upright
A helicopter pilot from one of the recovery teams reported that the
capsule landed upright after touching down at 4.32am (2032GMT
Sunday), just 1km from the intended landing site, it added.
The Beijing News earlier reported that a welcoming ceremony was
scheduled for between 6.30am and 7.30am at a military air base in
the area.
The flight was China's second-ever manned space mission following
the historic Shenzhou V, which in October 2003 made China the third
nation after the former Soviet Union and the United States to put a
man into space.
Shenzhou VI had been carrying enough food, water and oxygen for a
seven-day mission, although planners had expected it to spend just
five days in orbit.
Astronauts adjusted orbit
During his 21-hour maiden flight in 2003, lone astronaut Yang Liwei
never left his seat in the re-entry capsule nor take off his space
suit.
In contrast, astronauts Fei and Nie's flight saw them leave the
re-entry capsule and enter the orbital capsule, shedding their
bulky suits and donning ordinary work clothes so they could move
around easily.
During their time in space, the astronauts successfully fired
rockets to adjust the craft's altitude, ensuring it remained in its
pre-planned orbit -- which was crucial for its return to Earth, a
mission control spokesman said. -- AFP
