The Development of China’s Piloted Space Programme – From Sounding Rockets to Shen Zhou 5

P.S. Clark (2004), JBIS, 57, 391-426

Refcode: 2004.57.391
Keywords: Chang Kong , Project 921, Shen Zhou, Shu Guang, Taikonaut, Yuhangyuan

Abstract:
Separate papers have provided a review of the initial flights of China’s Shen Zhou spacecraft, based upon orbital analysis of the flights. This paper reviews the historical development of China’s piloted space programmes, starting with the first sub-orbital sounding rocket flights with animals during the 1960s through to the first Chinese piloted spaceflight, Shen Zhou 5. A brief discussion of the abandoned Shu Guang -1 manned programme from the early 1970s is also included.