Key moments in Shenzhou-6 spaceflight

The following are some key moments during the whole process of the space mission of Shenzhou-6, China's second manned spacecraft.

Oct. 12, 2005

05:30 An expedition ceremony is held for Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng, the two Chinese astronauts for Shenzhou-6 spacecraft, the country's second manned spacecraft. Chinese premier Wen Jiabao wishes them success in their mission.

06:15 The two Chinese astronauts board Shenzhou-6 and the spacecraft gets ready for the blast-off.

09:00 The Shenzhou-6 spacecraft blasts off.

09:00:04 The rocket soars into sky four seconds after ignition.

09:09:43 The spacecraft separates from the rocket and enters its orbit at an altitude of 200 km.

09:09:52 The Shenzhou-6 manned spacecraft enters preset orbit.

09:34 Astronauts report normal physical conditions.

09:39 Commander of the spaceflight Chen Bingde announces success of the launch of the Shenzhou-6 manned spacecraft.

09:43 Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao delivers an important speech at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

10:31 The Kashi monitoring and control station detects the Shenzhou-6 spacecraft, which begins its second round of flight.

11:05 Astronauts take their first meal in space.

15:54 The Beijing Aerospace Control Center gives instructions to the spacecraft to perform orbit maneuver.

16:00 Orbit shift succeeds.

17:31 Fei Junlong enters the orbital capsule and Nie Haisheng gives a thumb-up to the camera.

21:32 The two astronauts have conversations with their family members.

21:39 The conversations with family members come to an end.

Oct. 13, 2005

04:16 Fei Junlong wakes up from sleep that lasts seven hours and 8 minutes and returns to working position in the re-entry capsule from the orbital capsule.

05: 55 Nie Haisheng takes off the pressure suit and puts on the blue uniform again.

09:17 Fei Junlong washes face with a piece of wet tissue.

12:15 The Shenzhou-6 spacecraft flies over Mt. Qomolangma.

19:00 Fei Junlong completes the day's work and enters orbital capsule for sleep, which lasts seven hours and 35 minutes.

Oct. 14, 2005

05:56: Shenzhou-6 spacecraft performs first orbit maintenance during the 30th orbiting after the orbit shift, which moves itself back to the preset orbit.

06:19 Ground monitoring and astronauts' report show the orbit maintenance is successful.

14:36 Astronauts videorecord images of the earth through the porthole.

16:30 Fei Junlong makes somersault for four times continuously.

Oct. 15, 2005

16:28 Chinese President Hu Jintao has conversation with Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng.

16:33 Hu's conversation with astronauts ends.

18:05 Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng send images of the solar sail of the spacecraft to Beijing Aerospace Control Center.

Oct. 17, 2005

03:59 Astronauts put on pressure suits and fasten themselves to the seats.

04:02 Astronauts report that the spacecraft is working normally and they are feeling good.

04:07 The propulsion module separates from re-entry module successfully.

04:13 The spacecraft enters blackout zone.

04:20 The primary parachute is unfurled and staff aboard search helicopters see the module.

4:32 The module touches down and taikonauts report they feel good;

4:33 Retro-rockets ignite and the module lands successfully on the spot that in only one kilometer away from the pre-planned place;

4:53 Helicopters arrives around Shenzhou-6's landing spot where the module is standing vertical;

5:38 Taiknonaut Fei Junlong climbs out of the module, waving his right hand to the cheering crowd; and

5:39 Taikonaut Nie Haisheng climbs out of the module.

By People's Daily Online