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China plans outer space lab in second phase
Beijing, Oct 13: Ahead of its first manned space mission, China today disclosed an ambitious second phase of its plans, including space docking and setting up of an outer space laboratory to exploit the rich resources available there.
Beijing, Oct 13: Ahead of its first manned space mission, China today disclosed an ambitious second phase of its plans, including space docking and setting up of an outer space laboratory to exploit the rich resources available there.
Sending a man into the space was just the "first step" for China`s ambitious space programme, the director general and chief designer of the space application system under China`s manned spacecraft programme, Gu Yidong said.
"The second phase of our programme involves more advanced technologies such as space rendezvous and docking, and will also include the establishment of an outer space laboratory system," Gu was quoted as saying by the official Xinhua news agency in Jiuquan Space Centre in northwest China`s Gansu province.
The `Shenzhou-5` manned spacecraft, wholly designed and developed by China, is expected to blast into the space between October 15 and 17, launching China as the third nation to send man into space after the former Soviet Union and the United States. He said that the manned space programme`s ultimate goal for China was to explore outer space and make a good use of the rich resources of space.
"With the further development of space technologies, outer space application will turn out to be an important driving force for China`s economic and social development," Gu said.
Bureau Report
"The second phase of our programme involves more advanced technologies such as space rendezvous and docking, and will also include the establishment of an outer space laboratory system," Gu was quoted as saying by the official Xinhua news agency in Jiuquan Space Centre in northwest China`s Gansu province.
The `Shenzhou-5` manned spacecraft, wholly designed and developed by China, is expected to blast into the space between October 15 and 17, launching China as the third nation to send man into space after the former Soviet Union and the United States. He said that the manned space programme`s ultimate goal for China was to explore outer space and make a good use of the rich resources of space.
"With the further development of space technologies, outer space application will turn out to be an important driving force for China`s economic and social development," Gu said.
Bureau Report