Скачать или смотреть Jun 16, 2012 U.S._Shenzhou space flight is 'big test' for China - journalist

China is gearing up to launch its first female astronaut into space on Saturday.

The Shenzhou 9 crew comprising three astronauts will dock with the Tiangong 1 space station, a prototype module that has been in orbit since September 2011.

Tariq Malik, Managing Editor of Space.com, says the flight is a major step for the Chinese space program.

"This is their big test, to show that they can do it with people on board, with a mixed crew, with veterans and new space-flyers. For them it's a major milestone", he said.

Malik believes China has "learned from the errors and the successes" of the Russian and American space programs.

"China is relatively new, but they are trying to focus on what they can do successfully, and that will be really unique to and tailored to what China hopes to accomplish in space."




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