Shenzhou spacecraft with distinct Chinese characteristics

There is an argument that China's Shenzhou spacecraft is modeled on Russia's space shuttle. Official with China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CAST) gives an inside view on this issue.

The official noted that aerospace technology is a kind of wealth shared by all human beings. The external shape of Shenzhou spacecraft looks quite similar to that of Russia's Soyuz in consideration to the design of pneumatic external form.

As of the development of spacecraft, among a series of spacecrafts developed by Russia such as Vostok, Voskhod and Soyuz, as well as Mercury, Gemini and Apollo developed by the United States, the most successful one should be Soyuz series, 93 of which have been launched so far. The series include Soyuz, Soyuz T, Soyuz TM and Soyuz TMA. Although they look alike in appearance, they are different in function.

The development of Shenzhou spacecraft was started in 1992. The way from the launch of Shenzhou I in 1991 to the success of Shenzhou VI has demonstratee Shenzhou spacecrafts has employed the best external form.

Shenzhou spacecraft, with distinct Chinese characteristics, is a three-module design: re-entry module, orbital module and propelling module. When re-entry module safely returns to the earth, orbital module, functioning as a large manmade satellite, will stay in the outer space for another half year, where it will conduct observation over the earth and various scientific experiments, a perfect example of achieving more with less money.

The internal decoration of Shenzhou spacecraft is of typically traditional Chinese style. TV viewers can see the comfortable working and living environment Shenzhou spacecraft has provided with astronauts. The accuracy of the landing of spacecraft and the expression of astronauts when they came out of the module show the spacecraft's exquisite techniques in terms of control, heat-proofing as well as return and landing.

By People's Daily Online