China To Launch 2 Into Space In September

Doug Dante writes "China Daily reports that China's space agency plans to launch two Chinese astronauts into space for a 6-day mission in September. The spacecraft includes both a re-entry and an orbital module. The article, an official publication of the Chinese government in English, also extends a plain invitation for the U.S. to partner with China on space."

Great.

[Anonymous Coward]

Now Bush will outsource NASA next.

Re-Entry

[RobertTaylor]

"The spacecraft includes both a re-entry and an orbital module."

You would hope it had some form of re-entry module if you were the astronauts!

Astronauts

[RobertTaylor]

"But he said the duo will be chosen from the same 14 fighter-jet pilots who were part of the first selection process...

No chinese billionaires or boy-band members going up?

But

[Anonymous Coward]

Will they be returning them to Earth?

Re-entry.

[the_mind_]

"The spacecraft includes both a re-entry and an orbital module."

How... how kind of them...

Re:A matter of pride

[WormholeFiend]

They launch misions when they are ready, not in time for some politico's birthday or scheduled speech

But what about Feng Shui?

They *have* to launch 2

[Anonymous Coward]

Because half and hour after launching the first one, you know they're going to really want to launch some more...

:-)

Re:Astronauts?

[yotto]

Hehe, ESA "astronauts" are called spationauts [wikipedia.org] which I think is the worst one of them all.

China crisis!

[payndz]

I can't get to TFA. Did we just slashdot China?

Be careful of invitations

[ScentCone]

I'm guessing that most Chinese invitations (on matters this complex) come with something along the lines of, "...and please also pass along any and all technology or intellectual property that NASA and its privately owned contractors may have or use, so that we can better help you. Don't worry, it won't ever be used to compete against you or threaten Taiwan."

Re:My hope is that they get the hubble

[bullitB]

"We'll even give you 1 billion jiaozi for it."

A billion dumplings?

Yeah, I'd take it. Oh, wait, only if they're meat dumplings.

Re:My hope is that they get the hubble

[Guppy06]

Eh, you'll only be hungry again in a few hours anyway.