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Space Mission Accomplished

China launched its second manned space mission on October 10, sending two astronauts into orbit as it opened a new chapter in its ambitious drive to become a global space power.

The Shenzhou VI spacecraft roared into space on a Long March 2F carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre at 9 a.m. (01:00 GMT) for a five-day mission carrying air force pilots Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng.

China's first manned spacecraft, the Shenzhou V, carried astronaut Yang Liwei into orbit two years ago.
Fei and Nie were both selected from the ranks of air force pilots, as Yang was before them.
　　
Fei, 40, is from Kunshan, in East China's Jiangsu Province. He was one of five candidates who received intensive training for the first manned space flight.
　　
Nie, 41, is from Zaoyang, in Central China's Hubei Province. He was selected for the shortlist of three for Shenzhou V. The other two were Yang and Zhai Zhigang.