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Key moments marking Shenzhou-6's successful return to Earth
17/10/2005 11:00

The following are some key moments that mark the successful return of Shenzhou-6, China's second manned spacecraft, back to Earth.

1:50 -- The rescue teams and 14 special vehicles leave the headquarters based in the landing area for the intended landing spot of Shenzhou-6;

2:40 -- Shenzhou-6's return programs are activated;

3:43 -- The first attitude adjustment starts;

3:44 -- The orbital module and the re-entry module are disengaged and the second attitude adjustment starts 10 second after the disengagement;

3:45 -- Engines for brake ignite, indicating Shenzhou officially embarks on its way back;

4:08 -- The spacecraft flies to above the Chinese territory, and is spotted by the ground tracking station;

4:20 -- The primary parachute is unfurled and staff aboard search helicopters see the module.

4:32 -- The module touches down and taikonauts report they feelgood;

4:33 -- Retro-rockets ignite and the module lands successfully on the spot that in only one kilometer away from the pre-planned place;

4:53 -- Helicopters arrives around Shenzhou-6's landing spot where the module is standing vertical;

5:38 -- Taiknonaut Fei Junlong climbs out of the module, wavinghis right hand to the cheering crowd; and

5:39 -- Taikonaut Nie Haisheng climbs out of the module.



 Xinhua news