The Hindu : China upbeat about moon mission

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 05, 2003

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China upbeat about moon mission

By P. Sunderarajan

Bangalore Jan. 4. Even as India is working on the feasibility of sending an unmanned mission to the moon, China is already poised to send an astronaut into outer space by the end of this year and a mission to the moon in four years. This was indicated here today by a senior official in the Chinese Department of Foreign Affairs.

The manned mission to the outer space has got a major boost following the recent successful of a recoverable spacecraft, called `Shenzhou- IV'. The craft was launched on December 30 and after orbiting the earth, it is scheduled to return home on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters, after making a presentation at a special summit of space agencies from across the world as part of the 90th Indian Science Congress here, the official said the Chinese Government was likely to take a decision on the next logical step of sending a manned mission to the outer space in a few months.

The first manned mission is proposed to carry two astronauts. Already, 12 had been identified for the purpose and were undergoing training. The mission would be for a week and they would undertake certain experiments during the flight. China had been working on the mission since 1990.

As regards the lunar mission, the official said the scientists had recently submitted a detailed report and the Government would consider it soon. Once approved, the mission would be ready for launch in four years.

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