Live Coverage
Astronauts on Mission
Have Your Poll
- Mike,Canada:
Hope China will finish its space station soon. I hope to see China put a man on the moon one day as well! - Hanghangshi,China:
It´s a historical moment and will be written in space exploration history.We Chinese people are always supporting you.Expecting your safe return and the success of this mission. - Ng Pee Sen Ng Chin Yue, switzerland:
Best wishes and good luck for the taiconauts and China - enoch asiedu, GHANA:
best wishes for the chinese space program - Tony Q, UK:
To Major Liu Yang - from the moment last year when I found your signature on a philatelic cover, I have been eagerly awaiting this day. You are a brave woman to accept this flight assignment after such a short spell of training, and I wish you well. I hope that one day, I´ll be able to shake your hand. Good luck and Godspeed! - Jan Kolar, Czech Republic:
Congratulations to be nominated into this flight. China makes another important step ahead in its space programme. I wish you full success and safe return to your homes! - Jocelyn Manila, Philippines:
So proud to see the first woman in Chinese space flight. Hoping this will bring more equality between men and women in China and throughout Asia. CCTV News thank you for bringing this great news to Philippines and the world. CCTV News is the closest international news network to Philippines and is seen throughout the country on cable tv, satellite, and online. I wish you all the best on your historic space mission, and may CCTV News help to bring China and the Philippines closer through news, information, and dialogue. - Justin, USA:
Best of luck to everyone today, be it the people on the ground in mission control or the astronauts aboard the rocket. This is a big moment for China´s space program! - Ivan Verkempinck, Belgium:
A true media event, for the very first time, even with a dedicated webpage. Well done CNTV.We expect to see a lot from your side in the years to come. Just try keeping below-the-belt politics out of view and stick to science and technology.Go China! - Mike C., US:
Very excited to see this great accomplishment. I follow your Tiangong 1 orbits and look forward to your docking and time in your space lab module. Good luck and enjoy the beautiful space environment and views. All who can should enter the space race, open for everyone. - Sylvester Ho, U.S.A.:
WISHING THE BEST OF BEST FOR CHINESE SPACE PROGRAM.CONGRATULATIONS. - RALEIGH MONROE, UNITED STATES:
GOOD FOR CHINA. I WAS PART OF THE AMERICAN SPACE PROGRAM THE YEARS 1961-1969. HAVE A GOOD TRIP. - Chong SL, Malaysia:
Good luck and safe journey to your historic moment! - Ben Huset, USA:
Best wishes for a great flight from MN, USA.
Highlight of Shenzhou 9 Mission
more
2. Shenzhou 9 will be docked with Tiangong 1 manually by astronauts
NASA space scientist Mark Lee says the manual docking requires higher technology and skills. know more>>
The first aspect is the health monitoring that mainly includes astronaut´s nutrition and metabolism, moods, and biorhythm changes in orbit...
Experts Say
3 chosen astronauts complement each other: Yang Liwei
Yang Liwei, the first Chinese man in space, has known Jing Haipeng and Liu Wang since they were selected as China´s first astronauts in 1998.
US astronauts wish Chinese peers well
As China is set to send its first female astronaut into space this weekend, American women who have made the journey will be tracking her historic trip.
China Spaceflight Dream
"Three-step" plan of China’s manned space program:
1st step: Launch of an actual manned spacecraft. (The successful flight by spacecraft Shenzhou 5 and 6)
2nd step:Break through the technical difficulties of docking two spacecraft together. (The launch of Shenzhou 7, the space station module, Tiangong 1, and the spacecraft, Shenzhou 8 through 10)
3rd step: Build Tiangong 2 and Tiangong 3 space laboratories to conduct even more advanced research.
Timeline of the Shenzhou Program
05:58 am BJT on Nov. 1st, 2011 unmanned mission, which rendezvoused and docked with Tiangong 1.
VIDEO REVIEW: Shenzhou 8 Launched Space Docking with Tiangong 1
China's Future Space Station
China´s space station is slated to open around 2020, the same year the ISS is scheduled to close. If the U.S. and its partners don´t come up with a replacement, China could have the only permanent human presence in the sky.
More Features:
1. 60-ton space station is rather small compared to the International Space Station (419 tons), and Russia´s Mir Space Station (137 tons)
2. World´s third multi-module space station, including 3 capsules.
3. A cargo spaceship to transport supplies and lab facilities to the space station
4. Carry out scientific experiments
5. Serve as stepping stone for exploration into deep space, such as launching manned missions to the moon or even Mars
6. Two or three astraunants to be on board
7. Open to scientists from foreign countries
