China will seek three breakthroughs in its space program in the next five years, a former senior commander of the manned space mission said yesterday.
A spacewalk, lunar exploration and carrier rockets with greater propulsive forces are listed at the top of the space program's agenda for the 2006-2010 period, said Hu Shixiang, former deputy commander-in-chief of China's manned space mission.
Research on suits for a spacewalk has progressed well and scientists are making headway in docking technology, said Hu, a deputy to the 10th National People's Congress.
Hu said spacewalk and docking technologies play a key role in building a skylab and space station.
A skylab was included in the five-year plan for economic and social development for the 2006-2010 period. The blueprint was submitted to NPC deputies for examination and approval.
The first satellite for lunar exploration is scheduled to launch in 2007, Hu said.
(Xinhua)