China: Shenzhou 5 Readied to Carry Space Pilots

Work is picking up on readying China's Shenzhou 5 spacecraft to carry that nation's first crew into Earth orbit.

The People's Daily media outlet reported last week that the projected liftoff of the piloted spaceship is "around November", citing an unnamed source close to the program. Flight of the Shenzhou 5 would only take place if the spacecraft has been cleared for launch, weather conditions are favorable and solar flares and space radiation levels are acceptable.

The Shenzhou craft has entered a period of assembly, testing, and general checkout. Special chairs are already installed within the vehicle. The seats are designed to help the first piloted crew take on forces at liftoff and in the event an emergency abort rocket system must be used.

A group of 14 Chinese astronauts -- all under 30 years of age -- continue to undergo intensive training. One or two of these individuals will be picked for the upcoming flight that catapults China into the human spaceflight arena. Only Russia and the United States have an independent ability to hurl people into Earth orbit.

Astronaut space suits are ready for the Shenzhou 5 mission, the People's Daily reported. Also, nearly two dozen kinds of space food have been okayed for flight.

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