BOULDER, COLORADO -- The third test launch of China's Shenzhou
spacecraft, a prototype of a piloted vehicle, appears near at hand. The
upcoming launch, if successful, may clear the way for Chinese space
officials to orbit their first crew, perhaps later this year or in early
2003.
The pilotless Shenzhou-3 is to be hurled spaceward atop a Long March 2F
rocket, from the Jiuquan Satellite Center in China's Gansu province
sometime before the end of the month sources told SPACE.com.
China's step-by-step plan to achieve human spaceflight began with the
orbiting of the first Shenzhou craft in November 1999. That initial
shakeout flight lasted just 21 hours, with the craft landing in Inner
Mongolia.
Shenzhou-2 was lofted in January 2001, spending nearly a week in orbit.
Before reentering to Earth, the spacecraft cast off a large module. That
section, replete with its own solar panels and control thrusters, carried
out extensive maneuvers on its own.
According to reports from China, Shenzhou-3 -- Shenzhou meaning "Magic
Vessel" or "Divine Vessel" -- is being readied for the test hop. Thousands
of technicians reportedly worked through the New Year in preparing the
booster rocket and spacecraft for the flight.
Piloted flight: 2002 or 2003?
China space watcher, Charles Vick, of the Federation of American
Scientists in Washington, D.C., told SPACE.com that Shenzhou-3 was
sent to the launch pad in August 2001. However, it was removed from the
pad, along with the Long March booster. Technical snags caused workers to
send the launcher back to the factory for rework, Vick said.
"Clearly, the August problems were centered in the booster and not
necessarily the spacecraft. The booster has been sent back to the East
Wind launch site where it is now undergoing final preparation for its
launch," Vick said.
Vick said that China's human space program has fallen behind about five
to six months. That could delay the first trek of Chinese astronauts into
Earth orbit until early 2003, he said.
"Their original plans called for three more unmanned flight tests
before a fall 2002 manned mission. They may choose to delete one of those
flight tests after evaluation of this upcoming mission, the first of those
planned last three test flights," Vick said.
Given a successful Shenzhou-3 flight, it is not clear whether China
would accelerate their plans and attempt a piloted mission before year's
end.
Space station goal
There is increasing evidence, Vick said, that China wants to develop
in-orbit rendezvous and docking techniques and technology. Doing so would
enable the country to assemble a live-in space platform, akin to the
International Space Station, but on a smaller scale.
A cadre of Chinese astronauts -- dubbed "Taikonauts" -- are in training
for future orbital flights.
If China is successful in placing people into space, they will become
the third nation to demonstrate an independent ability to do so -
following Russia in 1961 and the United States in
1962.
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