Shenzhou 5

First human spaceflight mission of the Chinese space program

Shenzhou 5

Shenzhou 5 spacecraft mockup and parachute displayed at the National Museum of China

Operator| CMSA
COSPAR ID| 2003-045A
SATCAT no.| 28043
Mission duration| 21 hours, 22 minutes, 45 seconds
Orbits completed| 14
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type| Shenzhou
Launch mass| 7,790 kilograms (17,170 lb)
Crew
Crew size| 1
Members| Yang Liwei
Start of mission
Launch date| 15 October 2003, 01:00:03 (2003-10-15UTC01:00:03Z) UTC
Rocket| Long March 2F
Launch site| Jiuquan LA-4/SLS-1
End of mission
Landing date| 15 October 2003, 22:22:48 (2003-10-15UTC22:22:49Z) UTC
Orbital parameters
Reference system| Geocentric
Regime| Low Earth
Perigee altitude| 332 kilometers (206 mi)
Apogee altitude| 336 kilometers (209 mi)
Inclination| 42.4 degrees
Period| 91.2 minutes

Yang Liwei

China Manned Space Program

<- Shenzhou 4

Shenzhou 6 ->

Shenzhou 5 (Chinese: 神舟五号; pinyin: Shénzhōu Wǔ Hào, see § Etymology) was the first human spaceflight mission of the Chinese space program, launched on 15 October 2003. The Shenzhou spacecraft was launched on a Long March 2F launch vehicle. There had been four previous flights of uncrewed Shenzhou missions since 1999. China became the third country in the world to have independent human spaceflight capability after the Soviet Union (later, Russia) and the United States.

## Crew

[edit]

Position | Crew member

|

Commander  |  Yang Liwei
Only spaceflight

## Mission parameters

[edit]

* Mass: 7,840 kg[1]
* Perigee: 332 km[2]
* Apogee: 336 km[2]
* Inclination: 42.4°[2]
* Period: 91.2 minutes[2]
* NSSDC ID: 2003-045A[2]

## Mission highlights

[edit]

Shenzhou 5 was launched at 09:00 (UTC+08:00) from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, a launch base in the Gobi Desert in Gansu province, entering orbit 343 kilometres (213 mi) above Earth at 09:10 (UTC+08:00) with astronaut Yang Liwei, a 38-year-old lieutenant colonel in the People's Liberation Army and former fighter pilot. The space launch made China the third country to independently launch a person into outer space, after the Soviet Union and the United States. The launch of the Shenzhou was the result of a crewed space program which began in 1992.[3]

Neither the launch nor the reentry was televised live, but the time of both launch and reentry had been widely announced beforehand, and news appeared on China Central Television within minutes after both events.

### Orbital spaceflight

[edit]

Shenzhou 5 reentry capsule

The Shenzhou spacecraft made 14 orbits and landed 21 hours after launch. It reentered Earth's atmosphere at 06:04 (UTC+08:00) on 16 October 2003 (22:04 UTC 15 Oct 2003), its parachute opened normally and the astronaut said he was feeling fine. The landing happened at 06:28 (UTC+08:00), just 4.8 km (3.0 mi) from the planned landing site in Inner Mongolia, according to the government. The orbital module of the spacecraft stayed in orbit; it continued with automated experiments until 16 March 2004 and decayed on 30 May.[4]

Premier Wen Jiabao congratulated the country's first person in space after his safe return to Earth. Yang emerged from the reentry capsule about 15 minutes later and waved to members of the recovery team.[5]

The Beijing Aerospace Command and Control Center later declared China's first crewed spacecraft mission to be successful after Yang Liwei emerged from his capsule.[5]

### Yang's experience in space

[edit]

During the flight Yang wore diapers. When questioned about his experience aboard Shenzhou 5, he stated "Better not to piss in diaper...Baby doesn't like it, neither does an adult."[6]

In addition, Yang reported abnormal vibrations that appeared 120 seconds after launch (pogo oscillation), which he described as "very uncomfortable".[7] As a consequence, corrective measures were taken to the design of the following CZ-2F carrier rocket for the Shenzhou 6 flight.[7]

## Politics

[edit]

The launch was widely heralded in the official Chinese state media with newspapers devoting far more space to the launch than any recent event. While the Chinese media portrayed the launch as a triumph for Chinese science and technology, it has also been pointed out in both Chinese and Western media that Yang Liwei showed the flag of the United Nations in addition to the flag of the People's Republic of China.[8][9] The state media also reported that crop seeds from Taiwan were brought aboard the spacecraft.[10] Both the Chief Executives of Hong Kong and Macau sent letters congratulating all the people involved in the mission and also the central government.[11][12]

General Secretary and President Hu Jintao, in an official celebration at the Great Hall of the People, hailed China's success in launching its first crewed spacecraft into orbit, describing it as "an honour for our great motherland, an indicator for the initial victory of the country's first crewed space flight and for an historic step taken by the Chinese people in their endeavor to surmount the peak of the world's science and technology".[13]

Hu added, "The Party and the people will never forget those who have set up this outstanding merit in the space industry for the motherland, the people and the nation". He also expressed congratulations and respect to specialists and people who have contributed to China's space mission development on behalf of the CPC Central Committee, the State Council and the Central Military Commission.[13]

The launch was met with praise from around the world. Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi called the launch "a great feat".[14] United States President George W. Bush congratulated Chinese President Hu and wished China continued success.[15] A spokesperson for the United States Department of State said that the United States wished to "applaud China's success in becoming only the third country to launch people into space".[16] NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe called Shenzhou 5 an "important achievement in human exploration" and wished China "a continued safe human space flight program".[15]

The spacecraft has since featured prominently in festivities and celebrations not only in China but also in foreign countries, such as official North Korean commemorative stamps showing the first Chinese crewed spacecraft alongside North Korea's first satellite Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1.[17]

## Gallery

[edit]

* Shenzhou 5 return capsule and space suit displayed at the National Museum of China

* Shenzhou 5 space suit worn by Yang Liwei displayed at the National Museum of China

* Shenzhou 5 space suit worn by Yang Liwei displayed at the National Museum of China

* The space suit worn by Shenzhou 5 crew member Yang Liwei on display

* Mockup of the Shenzhou 5 spacecraft

* Early models of the Shenzhou spacecraft (I-VI) structure, the forward orbital module with dual solar panels

## See also

[edit]

* China portal
* Spaceflight portal

* Long March (rocket family)
* Tiangong program

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Gregersen, Erik (23 June 2021). "Shenzhou". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
2. ^ a b c d e "B. Text of Launch Announcements". SPACEWARN Bulletin. No. 600\. National Space Science Data Center; World Data Center for Satellite Information. 1 November 2003. Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
3. ^ "谱写航天梦的篇章--党中央推进载人航天工程纪实". GOV.cn (in Chinese). Xinhua News Agency. 25 July 2013. Archived from the original on 14 July 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
4. ^ Zimmer, Harro (30 May 2004). "Shenzou OM decayed". SeeSat-L. Archived from the original on 4 July 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2004.
5. ^ a b "神舟五号载人航天飞行任务时间表". China Manned Space (in Chinese). 17 September 2008. Archived from the original on 12 July 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
6. ^ "Better not to piss in diaper in space, says China's first spaceman". People's Daily. Xinhua News Agency. 20 July 2006. Archived from the original on 25 January 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2008.
7. ^ a b ""神七"运载火箭完成总装和出厂测试 今将出征". China News Network (in Chinese). China News Service. 19 July 2008. Archived from the original on 4 August 2008. Retrieved 19 July 2008.
8. ^ "航天员杨利伟在飞船中展示中国国旗和联合国旗". People's Daily (in Chinese). 16 October 2003. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2008.
9. ^ "Chinese Astronauts Begin Training For Spacewalk". Space Daily. Xinhua News Agency. 19 July 2007. Archived from the original on 12 September 2019. Retrieved 2 October 2008.
10. ^ ""神舟"五号载人飞船成功搭载台湾农作物种子". People's Daily (in Chinese). 21 October 2003. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2008.
11. ^ "HK chief executive's congratulation on Shenzhou-5 successful launch". People's Daily. 16 October 2003. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
12. ^ "Macao Chief Executive congratulates motherland on breakthrough in space technology". People's Daily. 16 October 2003. Archived from the original on 26 September 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
13. ^ a b "庆祝我国首次载人航天飞行圆满成功". Zhejiang Daily (in Chinese). 8 November 2003. Archived from the original on 13 February 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2008 - via Sina News.
14. ^ "World Leaders Congratulate China's Space Mission Success". China Internet Information Center. Xinhua News Agency. 16 October 2003. Archived from the original on 23 November 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
15. ^ a b Smith, Marcia S. (18 October 2005). China's Space Program: An Overview (PDF) (Report). CRS Report for Congress. Congressional Research Service; Library of Congress. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 November 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2022 - via Federation of American Scientists.
16. ^ Boucher, Richard (15 October 2003). "Daily Press Briefing for October 15 -- Transcript". state.gov. Office of Electronic Information, Bureau of Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 23 November 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
17. ^ "朝鲜6月18日发行胡锦涛、温家宝等中国领导人的邮票". qlstamp.com (in Chinese). 16 June 2004. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 19 September 2008.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Shenzhou-5.

* Making History: China's First Human Spaceflight at Space.com
* Countdown to the Launch of Shenzhou-5 at the Encyclopedia Astronautica
* Spacefacts data about Shenzhou 5

* v
* t
* e

China Manned Space Program

* China Manned Space Agency
* Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center
* People's Liberation Army Astronaut Corps
* Taikonauts

Shenzhou missions|

| Uncrewed|

* Shenzhou 1
* 2
* 3
* 4
* 8

|

Crewed|

* Shenzhou 5
* 6
* 7
* 9
* 10
* 11
* 12
* 13
* 14
* 15
* 16
* 17
* 18
* 19
* 20

Tianzhou missions|

* Tianzhou 1
* 2
* 3
* 4
* 5
* 6
* 7
* 8
* 9

Space stations|

* Tiangong program
* Tiangong-1
* 2
* ~~3~~
* Tiangong space station

Hardware|

* Shenzhou
* Tianzhou
* Long March
* 2F
* 7
* 5B
* Feitian space suit

Facility|

* Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center
* Wenchang Space Launch Site
* Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
* Siziwang Banner (landing site)

Related|

* CNSA
* Project 921
* Shuguang
* Chinese women in space
* Shuguang Group 1970 list
* China Group 1996
* Chinese Group 1
* Group 2
* Group 3
* Yuan Wang tracking ship
* Mengzhou

* Underline indicates current missions
* Italics indicates future missions

* v
* t
* e

Chinese space program

* China National Space Administration (CNSA)
* China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
* China Manned Space Agency
* People's Liberation Army Astronaut Corps

| Spaceports and landing sites|

* Jiuquan
* Taiyuan
* Wenchang
* Xichang
* Siziwang Banner (landing site)

|

Launch vehicles|

* Long March 1
* Long March 2
* Long March 3
* Long March 3A
* Long March 3B
* Long March 3C
* Long March 4
* Long March 4A
* Long March 4B
* Long March 4C
* Long March 5
* Long March 6
* Long March 7
* Long March 8
* Long March 9 (In development)
* Long March 10 (In development)
* Long March 11
* Long March 12
* Kuaizhou
* Kaituozhe

Exploration programs|

* Shuguang (cancelled)
* CMS (human spaceflight)
* Chang'e (lunar exploration)
* Tiangong (space station)
* Tianwen (interplanetary exploration)

Projects and missions

Science|

| Planetary science|

* Chang'e 1 (2007–09)
* Chang'e 2 (2010–present)
* Yinghuo 1† (2011)
* Chang'e 3 (2013–present)
* Chang'e 5-T1 (2014–present)
* Yutu rover (2013–2016)
* Chang'e 4 (2018–present)
* Yutu-2 rover (2018–present)
* Tianwen-1 (2020–present)
* Chang'e 5 (2020–present)
* Zhurong rover (2021–present)
* Chang'e 6 (2024)
* Tianwen-2 (2025)
* Chang'e 7 (2026)
* Chang'e 8 (2028)
* Tianwen-3 (2028)
* Tianwen-4 (2029)

|

Astronomy and
cosmology

* DAMPE (2015–present)
* HXMT (2017–present)
* GECAM (2020–present)
* CHASE (2021–present)
* ASO-S (2022–present)
* Einstein Probe (2024–present)
* SVOM (2024–present)
* Xuntian (2026)
* Space Solar Telescope

Earth observation|

* CSES (2018–present)
* Double Star (2003–07)
* Gaofen Series (2013–present)
* Haiyang Series (2002–present)
* TanSat (2016–present)
* Yaogan Series (2006–present)
* Ziyuan Series (CBERS) (1999–present)
* SMILE (2025)

Human
spaceflight|

| Uncrewed expeditions|

* Shenzhou 1
* Shenzhou 2
* Shenzhou 3
* Shenzhou 4
* Shenzhou 8

|

Crewed expeditions|

* Shenzhou 5
* Shenzhou 6
* Shenzhou 7
* Shenzhou 9
* Shenzhou 10
* Shenzhou 11
* Shenzhou 12
* Shenzhou 13
* Shenzhou 14
* Shenzhou 15
* Shenzhou 16
* Shenzhou 17
* Shenzhou 18
* (List of Chinese astronauts)

Space laboratories and cargos|

* Tiangong 1 (2011–2018)
* Tiangong 2 (2016–2019)
* Tianzhou 1 (2017)
* Tianzhou 2 (2021)
* Tianzhou 3 (2021)
* Tianzhou 4 (2022)
* Tianzhou 5 (2022)
* Tianzhou 6 (2023)

Tiangong space station modules|

* Tianhe (2021–present)
* Wentian (2022–present)
* Mengtian (2022–present)

Navigation|

* BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS)

Telecommunications|

* Apstar Series (1994–present)
* Chinasat Series (1994–present)
* Queqiao (2018–present)
* Tiandu 1 and 2 (2024–present)
* Tianlian I (2008–present)
* Tianlian II (2019–present)
* Qianfan (2024–present)
* Queqiao 2 (2024–present)

Technology
demonstrators

* Chinese reusable experimental spacecraft (2020)
* FSW Program (1969–2006)
* QUESS (2016–present)
* Shijian Series (1971–present)
* XPNAV 1 (2016–present)

Related|

* Lanyue Lunar Lander

* Future missions marked in italics. Failed missions marked with † sign

* v
* t
* e

← 2002

Orbital launches in 2003

2004 →

January|

* Coriolis
* ICESat, CHIPSat
* STS-107 (SpaceHab RDM, EDO)
* SORCE
* USA-166, XSS-10

February|

* Progress M-47
* Intelsat 907

March|

* USA-167
* IGS-1A, IGS-1B
* USA-168

April|

* Molniya-1 No.92
* USA-169
* INSAT-3A, Galaxy 12
* AsiaSat-4
* Kosmos 2397
* Soyuz TMA-2
* GALEX

May|

* GSAT-2
* Hayabusa (Minerva)
* Hellas Sat 2
* Beidou 1C

June|

* Mars Express (Beagle 2)
* Kosmos 2398
* AMC-9
* Progress M1-10
* Thuraya 2
* Spirit
* Optus and Defence C1, BSAT-2c
* Molniya-3 No.53
* Orbview-3
* Monitor-E GVM, MIMOSA, DTUSat, MOST, Cute-I, QuakeSat, AAU-Cubesat, CanX-1, Cubesat XI-IV

July|

* Opportunity
* Rainbow 1

August|

* EchoStar IX
* Kosmos 2399
* SCISAT-1
* Kosmos 2400, Kosmos 2401
* Spitzer
* Progress M-48
* USA-170

September|

* USA-171 / Orion 5
* UK-DMC, BILSAT-1, STSat-1
* e-Bird, INSAT-3E, SMART-1

October|

* Galaxy 13/Horizons-1
* Shenzhou 5
* Resourcesat-1
* Soyuz TMA-3
* USA-172
* CBERS-2, Chuang Xin 1
* SERVIS-1

November|

* FSW-3 1
* Shen Tong 1
* Yamal-201, Yamal-202
* IGS-2A, IGS-2B

December|

* USA-173
* Gruzomaket
* Kosmos 2402, Kosmos 2403, Kosmos 2404
* USA-174
* USA-175
* Amos-2
* Ekspress AM22
* Tan Ce 1

Launches are separated by dots ( • ), payloads by commas ( , ), multiple names for the same satellite by slashes ( / ).
Crewed flights are underlined. Launch failures are marked with the † sign. Payloads deployed from other spacecraft are (enclosed in parentheses).
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