Whoosh! First Woman Astronaut Launched Into Outer Space China

PHOTO: AFP

As reported by the BBC on Saturday (16.06.2012), Shenzhou-9 departed from the Jiuquan base, located in the Gobi Desert. There are three astronauts on board, Liu Yang and two male colleagues.

According to the Chinese government, they set off towards the base Tiangong space. During the week, the three astronauts will install a new system and perform some experiments that have been planned.

“From day one I’ve been told that I was no different than male astronauts,” Liu said in aninterview with CCTV television station and news agency AFP reported on Friday (06/15/2012).

“I believe in perseverance. If you are persistent, success is in front of you,” said Liu who wore his blue astronaut uniform.

This was said Liu after the announcement of his departure certainty in this space mission. Liu and two colleagues, Wang Jing Haipeng and Liu will leave on Saturday (14/6) at 6:37 of the base Jiuquan in the Gobi desert, northern China.

They will perform a manual docking at the Tiangong-1, which is China’s first space station, orbiting the Earth since last September 2011. Later, after successfully reaching the location, the astronauts will install a deck space on the Tiangong-1. Thenthey will go into the Tiangong-1 and in the laboratory space,they will perform a number of special experiments.

This mission is the final stage of a series of major programs undertaken by China to build apermanent space station in 2020. At last November 2011, China launched Shenzou VIII to install two deck space on the Tiangong-1.

China has sent its first astronaut into space in 2003. Since then China has made several manned space missions,most recently in 2008. But have never sent a woman astronaut.

With dispatch Liu, China will become the third country in the world after the Soviet Union and the United States that send women into space using its own technology.