Tag: China
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China launches two astronauts on Shenzhou 11, heading for orbital laboratory
A Chinese Long March 2F rocket rises from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert, sending the Shenzhou 11 spacecraft with two Chinese spacefliers into orbit. (Credit: CCTV) Two Chinese astronauts are on their way to an orbiting laboratory for a monthlong mission aimed at preparing the way for a full-fledged Chinese space…
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Live coverage: Chinese space capsule docks with Tiangong 2
Live coverage of the flight of China’s Shenzhou 11 mission with two astronauts visiting the Tiangong 2 space lab. Text updates will appear automatically below; there is no need to reload the page. Follow us on Twitter. China’s CCTV English news channel will broadcast major events during Shenzhou 11.
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China developing mission to return samples from far side of the moon
Illustration of the far side of the moon, with Earth in the background. Credit: NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio If China’s lunar exploration program goes according to plan, scientists could send a robotic lander to pick up samples from the far side of the moon and return them to Earth by the early 2020s, a top…
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Out-of-control Chinese space lab expected to fall to Earth next year
An image of Tiangong 1 from an approaching Shenzhou spacecraft. Credit: CCTV China’s Tiangong 1 space lab, replaced by an upgraded human-rated research station launched last week, is heading for an uncontrolled re-entry back into Earth’s atmosphere in late 2017. The crash is not expected to cause any damage — only a small fraction of…
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Out-of-control Chinese space lab expected to fall to Earth next year
An image of Tiangong 1 from an approaching Shenzhou spacecraft. Credit: CCTV China’s Tiangong 1 space lab, replaced by an upgraded human-rated research station launched last week, is heading for an uncontrolled re-entry back into Earth’s atmosphere in late 2017. The crash is not expected to cause any damage — only a small fraction of…
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China’s Tiangong 2 space lab successfully blasts off
The Tiangong 2 space lab launched at 1404 GMT (10:04 a.m. EDT; 10:04 p.m. Beijing time) Thursday on top of the Long March 2F T2 rocket. Credit: Xinhua The next stepping stone in China’s human spaceflight program launched Thursday, delivering a destination and living quarters to orbit for two astronauts preparing for liftoff next month…
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China launches Tiangong-2 orbital module
China took another step on its long march to a permanent orbital outpost with the launch of the Tiangong-2 orbital module from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The launch, conducted by a Long March 2F – took place at 14:04 UTC from the 921 Launch Pad of the LC43 Launch Complex. The new orbital outpost…
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China readies launch of space station pathfinder mission
The Long March 2F T2 rocket, topped with the Tiangong 2 space lab module, rolled out of its assembly building at Jiuquan on Sept. 8. Credit: Xinhua China is scheduled to launch a human-rated spacecraft the size of a bus Thursday, paving the way for a month-long visit by two astronauts in October and nudging…
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Chinese officials silent after Long March rocket failure
A Long March 4C rocket lifted off at 1855 GMT (2:55 p.m. EDT) Wednesday with the Gaofen 10 Earth observation satellite. Credit: Xinhua A U.S. Air Force spokesperson said Friday that the military has not detected any objects deployed in orbit by a Chinese Long March rocket launch Wednesday, but China’s official media outlets still…
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China to launch Tiangong-2 in September ahead of new crew mission
China will make another big step in its manned space program with the launch of a new orbital laboratory and a new manned space mission in the next two months. The launch of the Tiangong-2 space station is expected to take place on September 15 via the use of a Chang Zheng (Long March) 2F/T2 rocket.…