Human Exploration
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation(CASC)GovernmentThis is the first docking mission for China's Shenzhou program. Being the first spacecraft to visit the Tiangong-1 space station, it was launched without crew to demonstrate spacecraft rendezvous and docking techniques. The spacecraft docked automatically to the station on 2 November 2011. A second undocking and re-docking to test accuracy and reliability of equipment and sensors in a bright environment was performed on 14 November 2011. Shenzhou 8 undocked on 17 November 2011 and landed safely back on Earth the same day.
The Shenzhou program is a crewed spaceflight initiative by China. The program put the first Chinese citizen, Yang Liwei, into orbit on 15 October 2003.
Jan 1, 1993 — ongoing
Orbital Attempt
#5,172
CASC Mission
#95
Pad Launch
#9
Location Launch
#56
Designator
2011-063
Oct 31, 2011, 9:58 PM
1 update
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center is a Chinese spaceport located between the Ejin, Alxa, Inner Mongolia and Hangtian Town, Jinta County, Jiuquan, Gansu Province. It is part of the Dongfeng Aerospace City (Base 10).
Timezone
Asia/Shanghai
Local Launch Time
Nov 1, 2011, 5:58 AM
Total Launches
291
Total Landings
2
Coordinates
40.9581, 100.2911
