Chinese Manned Space Launch (live thread as situation develops)

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

[bonesmccoy]

It appears that we are coming up on the launch of the first Chinese manned space mission.

The announcement may occur sometime tonight.

Stay tuned.

I predicted announcment around 6 AM PST on 10-15-03

Since the Chinese gov't is too chicken to show it live, my guess is that there will be no announcement of any mission until after landing.

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[commish]

How convenient. Even if the rocket goes kablooie, the Chinese can claim it was a success and parade around the "astronaut".

[Willie Green]

Well if they don't succeed, it'll be another blemish on Boeing's reputation.

[adam_az]

My guess is that HAM operators and astronomers (NOT TO MENTION THE NSA) will be following it and we will hear news not long after launch.

[I_love_weather]

Yes but we will know if it blows up...with our satellites watching this thing.

[Moonman62]

Communist leaders hope the history-making launch will boost China’s standing abroad and, more important, help the party’s image among a populace weary of corruption and other abuses.

That strategy didn't work for the Soviets, and it won't work for the Chicoms, either.

[RobFromGa]

hey bones, add me to the ping list for when we have any confirmation of a launch if and when we hear same...

[Moonman62]

WHO WILL FLY? The astronaut candidates, all fighter pilots, ...

I can think of one fighter pilot it won't be.

[My Favorite Headache]

Let's just hope and pray that it is a manned space mission and not something that the Clinton's gave them to blow this nation to hell by the end of the night.

[July 4th]

Yeah, people will see this thing if it actually makes it into the sky. However, if it blows up on the pad, and then they claim it was a success, plenty of people will know they're full of BS.

[petuniasevan]

Hmph. I said the Chinese would pull this secrecy stunt.

Then they'll claim success, no matter what happens.
Of course our media will NOT question their announcement; they believe ANY b.s. the Chinese government grinds out.

Space Ping, Kev.

[adaven]

I can think of one fighter pilot it won't be.

Yeah, he went the "wrong way" ;-)

[MindBender26]

But if the rice rocket goes "kablooie" (Love that word, thanks for using it) there will be plenty of LEO satellite stills, video, etc. Yes?

The Red Collar birds would have great pics of it.

[Fledermaus]

How do they think they could keep the launch "secret"? I'm pretty sure we'll know when that happens from out satellites alone.

Again...did the Space Station astronauts order take out? ;-)

[MindBender26]

"I can think of one fighter pilot it won't be"

You mean the winner of the 2001 Lockheed-Lucca Brazzi "He Swims With The Fishes" award?

[MonroeDNA]

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[Poohbah]

Don't think of it as a signals intelligence platform...

Think of it as four really big Cuisinarts flying in close formation (c8

[freedumb2003]

HKT -- live broadcast of Chinese Lunar landing

[petuniasevan]