"Shenzhou-6" manned spacecraft will blast in 2005 and space staff are now devoting themselves to the research and development with full confidence.

This is learned from an exhibition "Embrace 'Shenzhou'" opened on September 29 at the National Museum commemorating the first anniversary of the success of China's inaugural manned space flight.

The exhibition was jointly held by the General Armament Department of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), Ministry of Culture, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

Displayed at the exhibition are many valuable that have been to the space. Besides a thorough presentation of the past of China's manned aerospace engineering, people are also briefed the nation's future plan, a three-step strategy.

The first step: launch manned spacecrafts, establish auxiliary experimental manned spacecraft project and start experiments on space application.

Second, after the success of the first manned spacecraft, try to make breakthrough in the technologies for the rendezvous and docking between manned spacecrafts and space vehicles (e.g. orbit module). Based on manned spacecraft technology, build and launch a space laboratory and settle the problems in space application for a moderate scale and short-term maintenance by men.

Third, build space station and clear the way for a large-scale station with long-term maintenance.

By People's Daily Online