China to carry out manned space launch middle of JuneJune 9, 2012 - 14:12 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - China has announced it will carry out a manned space flight at some point in the middle of June. A rocket carrying the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft has been moved to a launch pad in the north-west of the country, BBC News reported citing state news agency Xinhua. The rocket will carry three astronauts - possibly including a woman - to the Taingong 1 space station module. This will be China's fourth manned space flight and its first since 2008. It became only the third country to independently send a man into space in 2003. Last year, China completed a complicated space docking manoeuvre when an unmanned craft docked with the Taingong 1, or "Heavenly Body", by remote control. The astronauts onboard the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft will also dock with the Taingong 1 - an experimental module currently orbiting Earth - and carry out scientific experiments on board. Xinhua reported that Niu Hongguang, deputy commander-in-chief of China's manned space programme, said the crew "might include female astronauts". The mission is part of China's programme to develop a full orbiting space station. Beijing is planning to complete the 60-tonne manned space station by 2020. China was previously turned away from the International Space Station, a much bigger project run by 16 nations, reportedly after objections from the United States. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life, Strong Mind IDBank and Idram summarize the results of the May program of “The Power of One Dram”. Yerevan State University, Ucom sign Memorandum of Cooperation Rector of Yerevan State University Hovhannes Hovhannisyan and General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian signed the memorandum. EU to provide budgetary support to Armenia The agreement is aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the educational system of Armenia. Aliyev: No peace treaty unless Armenia changes constitution Azerbaijan will not sign a peace treaty with Armenia unless the latter changes its constitution, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said. |