Chinese scientists will choose a best time for its second piloted spacecraft Shenzhou VI to return to the Earth, with weather at the main landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region as the key factor behind the timing.

Wu Guoting, a senior researcher with the China Research Institute of Space Technology, told Xinhua that the return time will be fixed in accordance with the meteorological and other conditions at the main landing area in Siziwang Banner (county) of Inner Mongolia.

Wu said the return may occur on, before or after the fifth day of Shenzhou VI's liftoff on Wednesday morning.

The spacecraft has been well prepared for a longer journey, with supply of foodstuff, oxygen, water and other necessities enough for a seven-day space flight, Wu said.

(Xinhua News Agency October 14, 2005)