BEIJING (voa) – China has launched its third unmanned spaceship as it moves closer to sending astronauts into orbit. The Shenzhou III spacecraft successfully blasted off from a launching pad in the northwestern Gansu province Monday.
Chinese President Jiang Zemin witnessed the event and heartily congratulated scientists, technicians and soldiers. He said the early success of the project shows the Chinese spirit of consistantly striving to become stronger.
President Jiang said success in space will spur economic development, science, and help modernize the army.
The Shenzhou III functions like a manned spacecraft. Dummy astronauts are on board, hooked up to sensors that monitor physical changes in orbit. The spacecraft is also equipped with experiments in life sciences, astronomy, and physics.
Technicians also tested an escape system designed to save the lives of real astronauts.
Shenzhou III is expected to orbit Earth for several months, but officials have not announced an exact date when it will return.
China plans to launch its first manned spacecraft by the end of the decade, hoping to join the United States and Russia as the only nations to send men into space.
China launched two other unmanned spacecraft in 1999 and 2001.
