Chinese Manned Space Launch (live thread as situation develops)

MSNBC/AP ^ | 10-14-03 | AP

[freedumb2003]

The United States can not match 1962 technology!

We can't match the spirit of the time -- there were no limits! Always what we could do, not what we could not. Look what we did in that era -- the SR-71, best jet ever made; the F-15, best Fighter (and I'll stack it against the F-22 as built, F-117, etc.)

Higher, Faster, SAFER

We have become a nation of pansies. Everything costs a gagillion dollars and we get didly-squat. < /rant>

[AngryJawa]

"How will the chinese get theirs back?"

US Navy DSRV...

[Major_Risktaker]

I wonder when China will have it's first African-Chinese Astronaut?

[RobFromGa]

More Confirmation of a launch...

China Launches Manned Space Mission

The Associated Press
Tuesday, October 14, 2003; 9:09 PM

GOBI DESERT, China - China launched its first manned space mission on Wednesday, sending an astronaut hurtling toward orbit and becoming the third country in history to do so on its own - four decades after the Soviet Union and the United States.

The smoky tracer was visible against a bright, azure northwest China sky. The official Xinhua News Agency immediately confirmed the launch and said the astronaut was Yang Liwei, 38.

"China's first manned spacecraft, the Shenzhou 5, blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the northwestern province of Gansu at 9 a.m. Wednesday (9 p.m. EDT)," Xinhua said. State television cut into its programming to announce the launch.

It was the culmination of a decade of efforts by China's military-linked manned space program - and a patriotism-drenched moment for a communist government more concerned than ever about its profile on the world stage.

Security was tight around the remote Gobi Desert base, some 175 miles northeast of Jiuquan.

On Wednesday morning, the only road to the launch site was crowded with traffic, including military vehicles and civilian tour buses. But private cars were turned back and phone calls to the base were blocked.

China kept details of the event secret, saying in advance only that the launch would take place between Wednesday and Friday and that the astronaut would orbit the Earth 14 times. Yang was identified as a lieutenant colonel.

The Shenzhou 5 launch came after four test launches of unmanned capsules that orbited the Earth for nearly a week before parachuting back to China's northern grasslands. State media say the manned flight is expected to last about 20 hours.

[RadioAstronomer]

man, that is one high def pic. I imagine what they have has resolution 100X what we see.

Nope. I konos was designed as a 1 meter resolution imaging satellite.

[AngryJawa]

Aw, man. That tagline is just wrong.

MXC rocks!

[Stars N Stripes]

CCTV reports that astronaut Yang Liwei was reading a manual and everthing was proceeding well on the way to orbit at T+24 Min..

"I don't make this stuff up folks! That's what they said!"

[Hunble]

No arguments Sir, that was my point also.

Perhaps China will help the US get motivated once again, but using private industry this time.

I have been a very strong supporter of space exploration, ever since I watched Ham (the chimp) launched back when I was in kindergarten.

Today, I am ashamed of NASA.

[Stars N Stripes]

Right you are kenny!!

[Senator Pardek]

http://www.lostcosmonauts.com/

[July 4th]

astronaut Yang Liwei was reading a manual

If the Chinese write their spacecraft manuals as well as the manuals they wrote for my DVD player, this guy has no hope.

[Hunble]

Keep us informed, since you seem to be the only freeper with live access.

[freedumb2003]

Today, I am ashamed of NASA.

We are, alas, on the same page. The Proxmires of the world, followed by Carter killed space exploration.

I guess we pass the baton to China -- maybe I was too flippant about them.

[Socratic]

"I have been a very strong supporter of space exploration, ever since I watched Ham (the chimp) launched back when I was in kindergarten."

When I was in 4th or 5th grade ('64 or '65) my parents took me to Cleveland where NASA had a large space expo. What a treat! I got a small square of silverized mylar and treasured that for a great many years. What days those were.

[mhking]

China Central TV (DirecTV Ch. 455) is running in "Breaking News" mode with an anchorbabe in a newsroom showing coverage of the launch.

[Stars N Stripes]

CCTV now playing video from the launch, and rehashing what was reported earlier. They may be waiting till later to report any progress. I would guess the vehicle would have reached orbit by now. I'll keep watching as long as I can and report anything new.

[CobaltBlue]

I remember sitting in a tree listening on a transistor radio to Kennedy while he talked about putting a man on the moon, and weeping with joy because some day I'd be able to go there myself.

Oh, well. Still not too late. Anything can happen.

[Brett66]

We're about to undergo a revolution in spaceflight in this country. Burt Rutan should be going to space in his own spaceship in a few months. Government programs are not a good way of sustaining a manned presence in space, but private enterprise can do this and ultimately leave China's space efforts in the dust. This is how we'll stay ahead of them, not with another big government program.

[Hunble]

You and I grew up with the space program. We watched Apollo 11 land upon the Moon, LIVE!

My father allowed me to watch every single NASA spacecraft launch, since Ham (the chimp) started it all. If the launch was during the day, he would allow me to be "sick" and stay home from school.

To him, this was a valuable part of my education.

Today, I am reading live updates about China's launch into space with the same excitement. Thanks Freepers!

[Stars N Stripes]

CCTV reporting the spacecraft has achievd safe orbit.