Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) - The Shenzhou 10 (divine vessel in Chinese) spacecraft blasted off from the Gobi Desert yesterday, taking three astronauts to the orbiting Tiangong I module, propelled by a Long March 2F rocket that eventually fell back into the ocean. The crew includes the commander, Major General Nie Haisheng, a veteran of space flight after being part of the crew of Shenzhou VI; Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaoguang; and Major Wang Yaping, the second Chinese woman in space.
Chinese President Xi Jinping was present at the launch. Before take-off, he spoke with the three astronauts. "I wish you success and look forward to your triumphant return," Xi said. "You have made Chinese people feel proud of ourselves,'' he added.
The Shenzhou 10 mission is the fifth manned launch in the Shenzhou programme, the last step to building a permanent Chinese station in orbit around the Earth.
At almost two weeks, it is also the longest in time, during which the 'taikonauts' will conduct certain operations inside the spacecraft. In addition to various experiments in biology and physics carried out by all the crews in space, one of the objectives of the crews will be to change the floors of the Tiangong module to cushion taikonauts' movement and reduce the bounciness caused by the absence of gravity, a spokesperson for the Jiuquan Space Centre said. The three astronauts will also work on the docking door.
Major Wang, 33, will hold the first lesson in space on the physics of microgravity, beamed from the orbiting module back to primary and secondary school pupils on earth.
"We are all students in facing the vast universe," said Major Wang before take-off, "eager to explore and feel the magic and splendor of space with young friends" so that they can understand that it is science.
Finally, one major change in on-board operations involves sleep and work routines. This time, the astronauts will all sleep during the same time period.
The flight will also test the orbiting module and its instruments as well as the spacecraft. In the event of unforeseen emergencies, the commander will be able to manoeuvre without asking permission.