Facts about Shenzhou 5

1. 07

   Astronaut Yang Liwei transmitted live television broadcasts to Chinese viewers during Shenzhou 5's orbital mission, demonstrating advanced communication capabilities for a maiden crewed spaceflight.

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2. 06

   Yang Liwei's reentry module descended by parachute and landed safely in Inner Mongolia approximately 40 minutes after undocking from Shenzhou 5's orbital module.

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3. 05

   China's Long March 2F rocket launched Shenzhou 5 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert on October 15, 2003.

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4. 04

   Three modules comprised Shenzhou 5's structure: an orbital module, reentry module, and propulsion module, with the orbital module remaining in space after Yang Liwei's return.

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5. 03

   Shenzhou 5's spacecraft mass reached 7,790 kilograms, making it significantly heavier than the Soviet Vostok 1 that carried Yuri Gagarin in 1961.

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6. 02

   Yang Liwei's 21-hour mission aboard Shenzhou 5 completed 14 orbits around Earth at an altitude of approximately 343 kilometers.

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7. 01

   October 15, 2003 marked China's first crewed spaceflight when Shenzhou 5 carried astronaut Yang Liwei into orbit for 21 hours.

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