China announced the success of its first manned space flight and
the safe return of astronaut Yang Liwei Thursday morning.
Premier Wen Jiabao sent a message, on behalf of the central
leadership, congratulating the success of the flight.
Jiang Zemin, chairman of the Central Military Commission, made a
phone call to congratulate the success.
Shenzhou V?landed at the preset primary landing area in
north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region at 06:23 (Beijing
time), and China's first astronaut in orbit Yang Liwei walked out
of the cabin. Yang has been confirmed to be in good health after a
21-hour space travel.
The spacecraft carrying the 38-year old lieutenant colonel
lifted off at 09:00 Wednesday. Yang spent 21 hours in space
traveling more than 600,000 km, as the 241st human being to visit
outer space.
At 05:35, Shenzhou V?began its return, ordered by the
Beijing Aerospace Command and Control Center.
At 05:36, the re-entry module separated from the orbital
module.
At 05:38, the retros were ignited to slowdown the re-entry.
At 05:59, the re-entry module jettisoned the propulsion
module.
At 06:00, the re-entry module entered the territorial space of
China.
At 06:04, the module was in the "black-out" zone, when it
entered the atmosphere.
Yang reported he was in good conditions several times during the
re-entry, while Premier Wen Jiabao called him to wish him a safe
return.
At 06:07, rescue helicopters received signals from the re-entry
module to identify the landing point.
At 06:23, the re-entry module landed at the preset site.
At 06:28, a team of rescuers reported they found the re-entry
module 7.5 kilometers away.
At 06:36, the rescuers got to the module. Yang walked out and
waved to the crowds.
(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2003)