Shenzhou 5

Chinese spacecraft

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July 22, 2026

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The Shenzhou 5 was the fifth mission in China's Shenzhou program and marked a significant milestone as it carried the first Chinese astronaut, Yang Liwei, into space. Launched on October 15, 2003, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, Shenzhou 5 orbited Earth 14 times during its 21-hour flight. This achievement made China the third nation, after Russia and the United States, to independently send a human into orbit. The Shenzhou spacecraft, similar in design to the Russian Soyuz, consists of three modules and is launched by a Chang Zheng 2F rocket. Yang Liwei, a fighter pilot before his astronaut training, underwent extensive preparation for this historic mission.12

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Shenzhou
On October 15, 2003, Shenzhou 5 carried the first Chinese astronaut, pilot Yang Liwei, on a 21-hour spaceflight. China thus became the third country after Russia and the United States to launch a crewed spacecraft. Shenzhou 6 was launched on October 12, 2005, lasted five days, and carried two…
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On October 15, 2003, Shenzhou 5 carried the first Chinese astronaut, pilot Yang Liwei, on a 21-hour spaceflight. China thus became the third country after Russia and the United States to launch a crewed spacecraft. Shenzhou 6 was launched on October 12, 2005, lasted five days, and carried two…
Read More