Moscow, Oct 15: Russia today welcomed the successful launch of Chinese manned spacecraft Shenzhou V and hinted at Moscow's role in accomplishing this goal. "We welcome this event and congratulate China on joining the select club of nation with manned space programmes," Deputy Chief of Russian Space and Aeronautics Agency (Roskosmos) Nikolai Moiseyev was quoted as saying by Itar-Tass.
Moiseyev noted that for about 10 years Russia and China are closely interacting in space programmes.
In 1996-1997 two Chinese astronauts had undergone training in Russia, who later prepared the first space team for their country.
According to Roskosmos spokesman Sergei Gorbunov, China had bought Russian Vostok spacecraft in mid-1990s and their Shenzhou craft is its copy.
Bureau Report