China’s Orbiting Module Due to Deorbit（神舟5号轨道舱即将返回）

May 20

China’s Orbiting Module Due to Deorbit

A module left in space following China’s first human spaceflight in mid-October 2003 is about ready to nosedive into Earth’s atmosphere.

U.S. tracking sensor data is predicting that the Shenzhou 5 orbital module is headed for a May 23 reentry. The space capsule was detached from the reentry section that carried Chinese pilot Yang Liwei. China’s first astronaut parachuted to Earth, touching down in Inner Mongolia after circling Earth 14 times.


Meanwhile, over the months, the Shenzhou 5 orbiting capsule has continued to zip through and maneuver in space. It is packed with experiments, such as gear to monitor the magnetic field of the Sun.

Future left behind but long-lived Shenzhou modules may well play a role in honing China’s rendezvous and docking skills, in preparation for establishing that country’s own space station in Earth orbit.

British space-watcher, Phillip Clark, told SPACE.com he considers it likely that the orbital module from next year’s piloted Shenzhou 6 flight will be used as a docking target by space fliers on a subsequent Shenzhou 7 mission.