China becomes the third country launching a human space mission
China launched today, 15th October 2003, 4:00 a.m. (Romania's Time) a spacecraft with astronaut Yang Liwei on board.
Long March 2F rocket lifted off from Jiuquan Space Center in Gobi desert. The spacecraft's name is Shenzou V (Divine Ship 5).
 The orbit was achieved 10 minutes after the launch. During the mission, the spacecraft will orbit Earth 14 times in 21 hours.The reentry will be done in the Gobi desert at 12 a.m. (Romania's Time)
 Russia and The United States have been - until today - for 42 years, the only states that succeded launching people in space. China became third nation developping with succes space programme for manned flights.
Image Shenzhou V - Credit: © Simon Zajc
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