China spacecraft returns to Earth after docking test

2011-11-17T04:30:16Z

BEIJING (Reuters) - An unmanned Chinese spacecraft returned to Earth successfully on Thursday after more than two weeks in orbit, marking a pivotal moment for the rising power's plans to secure a long-term manned foothold in space.

The Shenzhou 8 spacecraft touched down in northern China's Inner

China completes second space docking

2011-11-14T17:30:26Z

China completed its second space docking on Monday, state media reported, as it moves closer towards fulfilling its ambition to set up a manned space station.

The move comes 12 days after the Asian nation successfully completed its first ever "kiss" in space, when the Shenzhou VIII spacecraft joined onto the Tiangong-1 experimental module 343 kilometres (213 miles) above the Earth.

The two unmanned vehicles had been trave...

US lawmakers slam White House-China cooperation

2011-11-07T11:00:43Z

Two US congressmen blasted the White House and NASA for "dangerous" cooperation with China, saying technology transfer has greatly enhanced Beijing's space and missile capability.

Republican Representative Dana Rohrabacher

China completes nation's first space docking

2011-11-07T10:02:30Z

China took a crucial step towards fulfilling its ambition to set up a manned space station on Thursday by completing its first successful docking in orbit high above the Earth.

The Shenzhou VIII spacecraft joined onto the Tiangong-1 experimental module just after 1.36 am (1736 GMT Wednesday), silently coupling more than 343 kilometres (213 miles) above the Earth's surface, said Wu Ping, spokeswoman for China's manned space prog...

Fake Mars mission to open hatch on 520 days isolation

2011-11-03T10:31:01Z

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The crew of an isolation experiment to simulate a 520-day mission to Mars are in the final countdown before the opening on Friday of the hatch on the windowless cells in which they have been locked away since June last year.

The $15-million Mars500 experiment aims to answer one of th...

U.S. official defends science-technology exchanges with China

2011-11-03T10:00:16Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's top science official said U.S.-China science cooperation benefits the United States, rejecting moves to curb the exchanges by lawmakers who say it strengthen...

China launches spacecraft ahead of docking test

2011-10-31T19:30:33Z

BEIJING (Reuters) - China launched an unmanned spacecraft on Tuesday ahead of a docking exercise that will be a key test of the rising power's plans to secure a long-term manned foothold in space.

A Long March rocket blasted off from northwest China before dawn, lofting the Shenzhou 8 spacecraft into an i...

China plans 2012 manned space flight after docking test

2011-10-31T00:30:05Z

BEIJING (Reuters) - China will launch up to two manned space missions in 2012 as it hones the skills needed to secure a long-term manned presence in outer space, an official spokeswoman said on Monday, on the eve of the launch of an unmanned spacecraft.

The spokeswoman for BEIJING (Reuters) - China said on Wednesday it will launch within weeks its first spacecraft capable of docking with a module it put into orbit last month, in what will mark a crucial test of its growing space program.

The unmanned Shenzhou-8 spacecraft, carried by the Long March-2F rocket, will blast off...

Snafu as China space launch set to US patriotic song

2011-09-30T11:30:19Z

It was supposed to be a patriotic tribute to China's technological prowess. Instead, a video showing the launch of China's first space station module inadvertently glorified the country's biggest rival.

A video animation put together by state television to mark the highly publicised launch of Tiangong-1 -- or "Heavenly Palace" -- is set to the music of "America the Beautiful", a patriotic song about the China took its first step towards building a space station on Thursday when it launched an experimental module ahead of National Day celebrations.

Tiangong-1, or "Heavenly Palace", took off on schedule shortly after 9:15 pm (1315 GMT) from the Gobi desert in China's northwest, propelled by a Long March 2F rocket, ahead of China's National Day on October 1.

The unmanned...

China counts down to space module launch

2011-09-29T01:30:07Z

China will take its first step towards building a space station on Thursday, when it launches an experimental module ahead of National Day celebrations.

China sees its ambitious space programme as a symbol of its global stature and state media said the launch of Tiangong-1, or Heavenly Palace, represented a "milestone" for the country.

Tiangong-1 is scheduled to take off between 1316 and 1331 GMT from the

China to launch module for future space station

2011-09-28T19:30:41Z

China is due to take its first step towards building a space station on Thursday when it launches an experimental module ahead of the country's National Day celebrations.

The Asian nation sees its ambitious space programme as a symbol of its global stature, growing technical expertise, and the Communist Party's success in turning around the fortunes of the formerly poverty-stricken nation.

Space authorities say Tiangong-1, or "Heavenl...

China to launch space station's first module

2011-09-20T07:30:18Z

China said Tuesday it will launch its Tiangong-1 space module later this month, marking its first step towards building a Chinese space station.

The Asian giant sees its space programme as a symbol of its global stature, growing technical expertise, and the Communist Party's success in turning around the fortunes of the formerly poverty-stricken nation.

It had originally planned to place the unmanned Tiangong-1, or "Heavenly Palace",...

China to launch "Heavenly Palace" space test unit next week

2011-09-19T21:30:16Z

BEIJING (Reuters) - China will launch a prototype module for a planned space lab next week, state media said on Tuesday, a step that will bring it closer to the United States and Russia

Rocket failure exposes space station vulnerability

2011-09-08T10:00:19Z

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - When a Russian rocket failed on its way to orbit last month, it exposed a vulnerability in the International Space Station program that a former...

Japan test fires Venus probe engine

2011-09-08T03:30:29Z

Japan said it had successfully test-fired the engine of its "Akatsuki" space probe in preparation for a renewed attempt to get it into orbit around Venus in 2015.

Following December's failed attempt to send the probe to the second planet from the sun, a remote test ignition conducted Wednesday lasted for 2 seconds as planned, the Japan Aero...

Ariane rocket launches two satellites

2011-08-07T16:30:20Z

An Ariane-5 rocket placed two telecommunications satellites into geostationary orbit early Saturday, the 45th successive success for the European rocket, Arianespace announced.

The rocket blasted off from the European space centre at Kourou, French Guiana, at 2253 GMT.

The two satellites are the Astra 1N, belonging to

Russia gains edge in space race as US shuttle bows out

2011-07-03T18:30:24Z

As the United States winds down its shuttle programme in a symbolic twist in a long-running space rivalry, Russia will gain complete control of access to the International Space Station.

The Russian space ag...

Multinational crew arrives at space station

2011-06-09T15:30:11Z

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - A Russian Soyuz capsule with a three-man multinational crew arrived at the International Space Station on Thursday to begin a six-month mission ...

China to attempt first space rendezvous

2011-04-29T11:30:38Z

China will attempt its first space docking between two unmanned vehicles this year, the first step in efforts to build a Chinese space station, a senior official said Friday.

Yang Liwei detailed the next stages of China's human spaceflight programme during a press visit to Space City in Beijing, a research and training...

China astronaut calls for U.S. cooperation

2011-04-29T08:30:12Z

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's most renowned astronaut said on Friday his country and the United States should make good on their presidents' promises to cooperate in space.

"I think the two countries should proactively implement the inte...

NASA clears shuttle Endeavour for April 29 launch

2011-04-19T15:00:17Z

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - The shuttle Endeavour was cleared for a launch attempt on April 29 to deliver a new class of physics instrument to the

Asia's star burns ever brighter in space

2011-04-10T09:30:11Z

Asia's extraterrestrial ambitions have rocketed from nowhere in the 50 years since the first human space flight, with China shooting for the moon while India and Japan fuel up their own programmes.

Since China in 2003 became the world's third nation to put a man in space independently, after the Asia's extraterrestrial ambitions have rocketed from nowhere in the 50 years since the first human space flight, with China shooting for the moon while India and Japan fuel up their own programmes.

Since China in 2003 became the world's third nation to put a man in space independently, after the China is setting up a new high-tech manufacturing base that will build the rockets for its ambitious space programme to put a man on the moon, state press has said.

Twenty of the 22 plants that will make up "the world's largest rocket design, production and testing base" have already been completed at the complex in the northern port city of Tianjin, the Global Times said.

Chi...

China Mars probe set for November launch

2011-02-21T04:30:49Z

China's first Mars probe will be launched from a Russian rocket in November, two years later than originally planned, state media reported Monday.

China's Mars explorer, Yinghuo-1, marks the country's first attempt at deep space exploration after sending a probe to the moon, the state-run ...

Experiment volunteers 'walk on Mars'

2011-02-14T17:30:15Z

Two volunteers cut off from the rest world for eight months stepped out on a mock-up of Mars on Monday, reaching the dramatic half-way point of their experimental "voyage" to the Red Planet.

Outfitted in heavy white space suits and clunky boots, the Russian and Italian volunteers left their capsule and took their first careful steps on the red sands of Mars -- all without ever leaving a China is developing "counterspace" weapons that could shoot down satellites or jam signals, a Pentagon official said Friday as the United States unveiled a 10-year strategy for security in space.

"The investment China is putting into counterspace capabilities is a matter of concern to us," deputy secretary of defense for space policy CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - A robotic Japanese cargo ship reached the International Space Station on Thursday, the first of a quartet of spaceships due to arrive at the orb...

Japanese rocket puts cargo into orbit

2011-01-22T04:30:26Z

A Japanese rocket successfully took an unmanned cargo transporter to the International Space Station into orbit, according to Japan's space agency.

The H-IIB rocket took off from the Tanegashima space centre in southern Japan on schedule at 2:37...

Analysis: Space a frontier too far for U.S.-China cooperation

2011-01-03T07:30:21Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The prospects for cooperation between the United States and China in space are fading even as proponents say working together in the heavens could help build bridges in often-testy relations on Earth.

The idea of joint ventures in space, including spacewalks...

Japan's low-cost space programme pushes the limits

2010-12-19T02:30:11Z

Despite its shoestring budget, Japan's space programme has boldly reached for the stars, pioneering solar-powered galactic travel, exploring a distant asteroid and planning a robot base on the Moon.

The past year has seen Japan's space agency JAXA chalk up several world firsts, including the safe return of a deep-space probe that...

Japan space probe shoots past Venus

2010-12-08T04:30:23Z

A Japanese space probe has hurtled past Venus after failing to enter the planet's orbit as planned, the space agency said Wednesday, but it voiced hope for a successful rendezvous six years from now.

The "Akatsuki", or "Dawn" probe, blasted off in May on a 300-million-dollar mission to observe the toxic atmosphere and super-hot volcanic surface of Venus, which is sometimes called the Earth's sister planet.

However, in a setback for Japan<...

Japan's Venus probe fails to enter orbit

2010-12-07T20:30:24Z

Japanese probe of Venus fails to enter orbit, may have overshot the planet

A Japanese probe sent on a two-year mission to Venus failed to enter orbit and may have flown passed the planet, space agency officials said Wednesday.

The probe, called Akatsuki, which means dawn, appears to have not fired its engines enough to inject it into the proper orbit after it passed near Venus on Tuesday.

Japan space probe failed to enter Venus orbit: JAXA

2010-12-07T19:31:01Z

An interplanetary probe intended to go into orbit around Venus has failed in its mission, Japan's space agency said Wednesday, 200 days after it left Earth.

"Akatsuki", or "Dawn", was intended to be the first Japanese satellite to orbit a planet other than Earth.

Officially called the Planet-C Venus Climate Orbiter, the box-shaped golden satellite fitted with two paddle-shaped ...

Japan's first Venus probe struggling to enter orbit

2010-12-07T10:30:49Z

Japan's first space probe bound for Venus was struggling on Tuesday to enter the planet's orbit, the space agency said.

The Planet-C Venus Climate Orbiter, a box-shaped golden satellite fitted with two paddle-shaped solar panels, blasted off from a space centre in southern Japan in May.

The probe, nicknamed "Akatsuki" or "Dawn", reversed its engine to slow down and enter the planet's gravitational field but lost contact with ground co...

Japan probe reaches Venus, prepares to enter orbit

2010-12-07T03:00:08Z

Japan probe reaches Venus, prepares to enter orbit; mission could illuminate Earth's neighbor

A Japanese probe reached Venus on Tuesday and prepared to enter orbit on a two-year mission that would mark a major milestone for Japan's space program and cou...

Hare-brained schemes

2010-11-30T12:39:24Z

...

Chinese Military Communications Satellite Reaches Orbit

2010-11-29T14:50:55Z

...

NASA Chief Gives Details On Recent China Trip

2010-11-29T14:50:54Z

...

Satellite appears to show NKorea building reactor

2010-11-18T20:30:16Z

US Institute: Satellite images show North Korea building light-water reactor

A private American security institute says new satellite images and interviews with American experts show North Korea is constructing an experimental light-water nuclear reactor at its main Yongbyon atomic complex.

The Washington-based China shows its skills in space by maneuvering satellite near another in Earth orbit

China has pulled off a tricky and uncommon feat in space flight, maneuvering one of its satellites to within about 300 yards of another while they were orbiting Earth, space analysts say.

Some analysts view the rendezvous as a potentially ominous sign of China's ability to carry out a hostile act or espionage against a rival satellit...

Space vs. Earth: Where to invest

2010-11-29T15:43:13Z

...

Behind the Air Force's secret robotic space plane

2010-11-29T16:04:00Z

...

China unveils photos of moon

2010-11-08T08:00:32Z

The photos of the moon's surface, made public by Premier Wen Jiabao, were taken at the end of last month by the Chang'e-2 unmanned probe, the National Space Administration said in a statement.

Chang'e-2 was launched on October 1 and went into orbit eight days later. It was due to first circle the moon at a distance of 100 kilom...

China Reaches New High for Most Space Missions in a Year

2010-11-08T06:05:23Z

...

China plans space station by 2020

2010-11-03T15:38:13Z

...

China Launches New Navigation Satellite Into Orbit

2010-11-03T18:01:34Z

...

China's aerospace future: A Chinese space station in the stars?

2010-11-04T14:33:50Z

...

The fragility of satellites and humanity's dependence on them

2010-11-04T13:50:53Z

...

China says manned space station possible around 2020

2010-10-27T04:31:06Z

China's Manned Space Engineering Project announced in a statement that it expected to launch a space laboratory before 2016 to study key technology involved in a space station, such as living conditions for astronauts.

The country would then develop and launch a core cabin and a second laboratory module around 2020, which would be assembled in orbit into a space station, it added.

The station would study technologies involved in long-...

China to launch manned space lab around 2020: report

2010-10-27T04:00:13Z

BEIJING (Reuters) - China said on Wednesday it would launch a space lab to be manned for long stretches within about 10 years, a move it believes would bring it closer to the United States and Ru...

Again, Space Station Has to Be Moved Out of The Way of Space Junk

2010-10-26T15:06:33Z

...

NASA chief visits China manned space launch site

2010-10-26T08:00:27Z

NASA chief visits China launch site, other manned space program facilities

The head of NASA visited China's manned space flight launch center during a trip to the country to explore possibilities for cooperation, the U.S. agency said Tuesday.

China launched its first manned space flight in 2003 and plans an unmanned moon landing in 2012, with a possible manned lunar mission to ...

NASA chief says pleased with China visit

2010-10-26T00:30:34Z

The head of the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration, a former astronaut and veteran of four space shuttle missions, wrapped up a five-day trip to China on Thursday that included a tour of a major space launch centre.

Bolden said in a statement released Tuesday by the US embassy in Beijing that he had been given a "ver...

Great Hero Yang

2010-10-20T06:33:36Z

...

NASA Chief Heads to China Amid Lawmaker Concern

2010-11-02T14:13:02Z

...

NASA chief to visit China

2010-10-12T17:30:22Z

NASA chief Charles Bolden will make an official visit to China October 16-21, a spokesman for the US space agency said Tuesday.

The visit was first announced in November 2009 during a visit to China by President Barack Obama but no dates had been se...

Satellites in Orbit by Debbie Lacy

2010-11-02T17:21:21Z

...

The Space Debris

2010-11-02T18:24:56Z

...

Human Spaceflight On the Agenda for NASA Chief's China Trip

2010-10-12T18:09:00Z

...

U.S. Lawmaker Balks at NASA Chief's China Visit

2010-10-11T15:12:43Z

...

ISS mission delayed after damage to Soyuz craft: director

2010-10-08T11:46:32Z

The next mission to the International Space Station, scheduled for December 13, has been delayed following "idiotic" damage to the Soyuz spacecraft, the mission director said on Friday.

"It is certain that there will be a delay. The start of the mission should be delayed by 10 days to two months," said Andreas Schon from the...

Pair of Research Satellites Launched by China

2010-10-11T15:13:10Z

...

China all set to launch second lunar probe

2010-10-01T00:15:40Z

China said it was all set on Friday to launch its second lunar probe, on the day the country marks 61 years of communist rule.

A launch rocket carrying the Chang'e-2, which will go orbit within 15 kilometres (nine miles) of the moon, has been set up in Xichang city in southwestern

Million and how the use of "China Aerospace" influence to further enhance the brand...

New Chinese Satellite Suffers Life-Shortening Leak

2010-09-14T09:08:25Z

...

Japan Launches Newest Navigation Satellite Into Orbit

2010-09-14T09:08:16Z

...

Japan launches satellite for better GPS coverage

2010-09-11T10:15:27Z

Japan on Saturday launched a rocket carrying a satellite intended to improve global positioning systems.

The H-IIA rocket blasted off at 8:17pm (1117 GMT) from the Tanegashima space centre in southern Japan, according to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

About 30 minutes after the launch, the rocket successfull...

Japan to launch satellite for better GPS coverage

2010-09-11T05:15:17Z

Japan on Saturday will launch a rocket carrying a satellite intended to improve global positioning systems.

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is to launch the H-IIA at 8:17 pm (11:17 GMT) from the Tanegashima space centre in southern Japan.

The rocket will release the "Michibiki" satellite, whose name means "showing...

What Is a Space Scientist?

2010-11-05T09:28:56Z

...

What is X-Seed 4000?

2010-11-05T10:01:02Z

...

8 of the Oldest Institutions

2010-11-02T16:04:38Z

...

Chinese Broadcasting Satellite Placed in Orbit

2010-09-11T16:52:03Z

...

Bumping Satellites

2010-09-11T11:40:31Z

...

China launches media satellite

2010-09-12T01:37:51Z

...

1st Ld-Writethru: China successfully launches satellite Sinosat-6 for TV, radio live broadcast

2010-09-12T01:36:37Z

...

Chinese Satellites Bump During Secret Maneuvers

2010-09-11T16:51:41Z

...

Telecommunications In North Korea

2010-10-06T05:25:48Z

Telephone

By 1970 automatic switching facilities were in use in Pyongyang, Siniju, Hamhng, and Hyesan. A few public telephone booths were beginning to appear in Pyongyang around 1990. Ordinary citizens do not have private telephone lines. There are international connections via Moscow and Beijing, and in late 1989 international direct dialing service was introduced from Hong Kong. A satellite ground station near Pyongyang provides direct international communications using the Interna...

China Executes Mysterious, Secret In-Orbit Satellite Rendezvous

2010-09-11T16:10:33Z

...

Two Chinese satellites rendezvous in orbit

2010-09-11T11:48:35Z

...

SOCIETY

2010-11-02T15:43:58Z

...

First Piece Of Chinese Space Station Assembled For 2011 Launch

2010-09-11T16:48:28Z

...

South Korea Koreas Clash

2011-01-05T01:31:08Z

South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan, right, shakes hands with U.S. special envoy on North Korea, Stephen Bosworth before their meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Seoul Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011. (AP Photo/Jung Yeon-je, Pool)

South Korea Koreas Nuclear

2011-01-05T01:31:07Z

U.S. special envoy on North Korea, Stephen Bosworth, left, and South Korea's chief nuclear negotiator Wi Sung-lac attend talks at the latter's office in Seoul, Wednesday, Jan...

South Korea US Koreas Clash

2011-01-04T02:30:23Z

Stephen Bosworth, US special representative for North Korea policy, talks to reporters upon his arrival at Incheon international airport, west of Seoul, Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011. Bosworth arrived in Seoul for talks on North Korea's nuclear...

APTOPIX South Korea Koreas Clash

2011-01-03T07:31:38Z

South Korean Army's 155 mm howitzers fire during a military drill near the demilitarized zone, which has separated the two Koreas since the Korean War, in Chulwon, north of Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Jan. 3, 2011. South Korea's president vowed Monday not to let North Korea "cove...

North Korea Koreas Clash

2011-01-03T04:31:29Z

Ctizens attend a rally in support of North Korea's "joint new year editorial" in the city's central Kim Il Sung Square, in Pyongyang, North Korea Monday, Jan. 3, 2011. In the North Korean capital, tens of thousands gathered Monday for the annual New Year rally to display loyalty to leader K...

News on East Asia

China post office offers letters from space

China launches two satellites: state media

China's spacecraft comes back to Earth