Shenzhou 5 Returns Safely to Earth

China?s first astronaut, Yang Liwei, emerged triumphantly from his Shenzhou 5 capsule yesterday after spending nearly 21 hours in space. The spacecraft landed in Inner Mongolia at 2223 GMT Wednesday (6:23 pm EDT); only a few kilometers from its intended landing spot. Liwei exited the vehicle within 30 minutes of landing and was perfectly healthy. Details about China?s future spaceflight plans are starting to emerge and could include another Shenzhou flight within a year or two. They?re also working on ideas for a space station and will probably send an unmanned probe to the Moon within a few years.

Fraser Cain

Fraser Cain is the publisher of Universe Today. He's also the co-host of Astronomy Cast with Dr. Pamela Gay.

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