| 20:41:03 |
That concludes our live coverage of Shenzhou 8's return to Earth. Thank you for staying with us throughout the evening. |
| 20:40:47 |
Commander-in-chief of China's manned space program Chang Wanquan announced Thursday evening that the nation's first-ever space rendezvous and docking mission was a complete success. |
| 20:29:40 |
The government could build a laboratory open to both researchers and enterprises in order to commercialize more of space technologies,said Cao Chong, an expert with the China Technical Application Association for Global Positioning System. |
| 20:28:26 |
Experts have called for more private capital and a long-range plan for the development of the country's space-related industries. |
| 20:27:41 |
Scientists believe the country's manned space program will promote scientific research and bolster relevant industries, just as previous major programs, such as the atomic and hydrogen bombs and satellites, had pushed forward research and development of Long March carrier rockets, nuclear power plants and micro-electronics industries. |
| 20:25:26 |
With more technological breakthroughs being made, the space program would further change people's lifestyles, raise living standards and boost economic development, as happened in history each time the human explored unknown territories, analysts said. |
| 20:22:54 |
Besides a sense of pride and passion, Chinese people have felt tangible changes, which were brought by China's space program, in various aspects, from the use of satellites for automotive navigation to the designs of diapers for babies. |
| 20:22:15 |
China's Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang on Thursday evening delivered a congratulatory note from the central authorities, celebrating the success of the country's first-ever space rendezvous and docking mission. |
| 20:21:30 |
The successful return of the unmanned spacecraft Shenzhou 8 on Thursday brought China one step closer to its decades-long dream of a manned space station, sparking expectation of accelerated progress for the country's space industries. |
| 20:19:40 |
Members of the rescue team are examining the re-entry module. |
| 20:15:52 |
The rescue team has found the capsule. |
| 19:58:23 |
The helicopters are flying over the landing site. Their efforts to locate the craft are being aided by flashlights. |
| 19:36:33 |
The re-entry module of the spacecraft parachuted down at a landing site in Siziwang Banner (county) in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region at around 7:30 p.m., marking the end of the 49-day space docking mission. |
| 19:35:36 |
China's unmanned spacecraft Shenzhou 8 landed in north China Thursday evening, after completing the country's first-ever space docking mission. |
| 19:31:48 |
The returning craft is descending. |
| 19:31:20 |
Shenzhou-8's main parachute has opened. |
| 19:30:08 |
Recycle No. 1 is tracking and all equipment is functioning normally |
| 19:28:48 |
Recycle No. 4 is tracking the target. |
| 19:27:51 |
Radar at the main landing area has located the target. |
| 19:26:27 |
Recycle No. 1 is tracking the path of Shenzhou 8. |
| 19:25:49 |
The re-entry module is being closely flanked by five helicopters. |
| 19:24:09 |
Mission control states that the landing site will be at 111.298 Longitude, and 42.239 Latitude. |
| 19:23:52 |
Shenzhou 8 started journey back to Earth Thursday evening after completing the country's first docking mission with space lab Tiangong-1. |
| 19:23:38 |
Weather conditions at the launch site are ideal for Shenzhou 8's re-entry. Land search crews are in place to recover the craft. |
| 19:20:09 |
Shenzhou 8 is flying over the Indian Ocean. |
| 19:18:14 |
Search and rescue staff have been deployed, according to the headquarters. |
| 19:10:41 |
The main landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous is preparing for the return of the unmanned Shenzhou 8 unmanned spacecraft. |
| 19:09:40 |
Shenzhou 8's re-entry module needs to undergo complex procedures of engine brakes and separation from the orbital module, then the propelling module, before landing in northern China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. |
| 19:08:45 |
China's unmanned spacecraft Shenzhou 8 started journey back to Earth Thursday evening after completing the country's first docking mission with target orbiter Tiangong-1. |
| 15:42:11 |
The region is also free of high-voltage power lines, railways or rivers, all of which could pose a threat to a returning spacecraft. The area's dry weather and high visibility are expected to aid the search team in finding and recovering the craft. |
