A batch of valuable scientific experiment results returned to earth in China's fourth unmanned spaceship, Shenzhou IV, on Sunday evening from its seven-day flight, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) said in Beijing Tuesday.
A preliminary examination of the results, which were obtained from onboard equipment and a series of tests relating to life, the space environment and microwave remote sensing, showed China had made important progress, according to CAS experts.
Space conditions and changes are a key issue for manned space flights. Shenzhou IV conducted comprehensive space environment forecasts and monitoring.
China is able to make medium and long-term forecasts of the space environment, and predict changes and provide indices related to solar activity, space radiation and the earth's magnetic activity, experts said.
In microwave sensing technology, a multi-mode microwave sensing device was installed on the craft to collect information about oceans, atmosphere and land.
The capsule was equipped with a biological test device to do pioneering experiments on electrically integrating cells, both animal and vegetable, and other biological experiments, according to CAS experts.
Further detailed results are expected to be disclosed soon.
(Xinhua News Agency January 8, 2003)
