The Hindu : Front Page : Manned space capsule lands safely

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Oct 18, 2005

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Manned space capsule lands safely

Euphoric welcome for "taikonauts"; mission a milestone in China's space programme

BEIJING: The re-entry capsule of China's Shenzhou-6 spacecraft, carrying "taikonauts" Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng, landed on earth safely at 4:33 a.m. (local time) on Monday, marking a ``complete success'' of China's second manned space mission after it put the first Chinese national in space two years ago.

Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo declared China's successful space mission a ``milestone'' in China's space technology development and its space experiments with human participation.

Both "taikonauts" are ``in fine condition,'' doctors said after physical check-up upon landing.

They landed just 1 km away from the preset spot after a 115-hour-and-32-minute space flight. Mr. Fei and Mr. Nie climbed out of their kettle-shaped capsule with the help of technicians and clambered down a ladder in predawn darkness.

Bouquets, flowers

They were seated for a bouquet of flowers and to get used to earth's gravity.

``We feel fine,'' said a smiling Mr. Fei. Mr. Nie thanked all the Chinese people for their ``care and support.'' Both waved flowers to the excited welcoming crowd.

The two men were flown to Beijing and were received by their families as well as their colleagues including Yang Liwei, the first "taikonaut". The space mission have gripped the sight of the whole nation in the past five days.

Television pictures showed parents of the two "taikonauts" burst into tears when they saw their sons emerging from the spacecraft.

Jubilant residents in the hometowns of the "taikonauts" set off firecrackers and performed traditional lion dances. Chinese President Hu Jintao was present at the Beijing Aerospace Command and Control Centre to watch the lift-off on Wednesday and talked with the "taikonauts" on Saturday.

Premier Wen Jiabao was at the launch site to see off the two men with best wishes before the launch.

Mr. Nie spent his 41st birthday in space and received a phone call from his wife and daughter. The joyful daughter's ``Happy Birthday to You'' warmed the hearts of millions of Chinese television viewers.

Mark Lee, a renowned Chinese American space expert, called the Shenzhou-6 mission ``a major step forward'' in China's ambition of building a space station.'' — Xinhua

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