An expert said yesterday that Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng's move from Shenzhou VI's reentry capsule to its orbital capsule marked the start of their "real space lives."

"The orbital capsule is where they will live and work during the space flight," said Wang Yongzhi, the program's chief general designer.

The move enabled the crew of China's second manned space mission to remove their heavy space suits and conduct scientific experiments in work clothes.

Yang Liwei, China's first astronaut and now deputy commander-in-chief of the program's astronauts, said Fei and Nie's everyday activities such as eating, drinking, sleeping and excreting must be assured.

He said they will have access to foods such as rice, vegetables and meat, which can be heated up, as well as beverages like coffee, orange juice, green tea and some spices.

Sleeping bags and a waste collecting facility are also provided in the orbital capsule. "This living system needs to be tested by this spaceflight," said Yang.

(Xinhua News Agency October 13, 2005)