View source for Shenzhou 6

{{Short description|2005 Chinese crewed spaceflight}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name                  = Shenzhou 6
| image                 = Shenzhou spacecapsule drawing.svg
| image_caption         = Diagram of the Shenzhou capsule-stack, without deployed orbit module solar cells
| image_size            = 180px
| insignia              =

| mission_type          = 
| operator              = {{flagicon|PRC}} [[China Manned Space Agency|CMSA]]
| COSPAR_ID             = 2005-040A
| SATCAT                = 28879
| mission_duration      = 4&nbsp;days, 19&nbsp;hours, 33&nbsp;minutes
| orbits_completed      = 76<ref>{{cite web |title=Shenzhou VI |url=http://en.cmse.gov.cn/missions/shenzhouvi/ |website=China Manned Space |accessdate=2021-07-15 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001192955/http://en.cmse.gov.cn/missions/shenzhouvi/ |archivedate=2020-10-01 |language=en}}</ref>

| spacecraft_type       = [[Shenzhou (spacecraft)|Shenzhou]]
| manufacturer          = 
| launch_mass           = 
| landing_mass          =

| launch_date           = {{start-date|October 12, 2005, 01:00:05.583|timezone=yes}}&nbsp;UTC 
| launch_rocket         = [[Long March 2F|Chang Zheng 2F]]
| launch_site           = [[Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center|Jiuquan]] [[Jiuquan Launch Area 4|LA-4/SLS-1]]

| landing_date          = {{end-date|October 16, 2005, 20:33|timezone=yes}}&nbsp;UTC 
| landing_site          = Amugulang pasture, Hongger Township<br/>[[Siziwang Banner]], [[Inner Mongolia]]{{vague|date=September 2013}}<!--coords needed-->

| orbit_epoch           = 
| orbit_reference       = [[geocentric orbit|Geocentric]]
| orbit_regime          = [[low Earth orbit|Low Earth]]
| orbit_periapsis       = 
| orbit_apoapsis        = 
| orbit_inclination     = 
| orbit_period          = 
| apsis                 = gee

| crew_size             = 2
| crew_members          = {{flagicon|PRC}} [[Fei Junlong|Fèi Jùnlóng]]<br/>{{flagicon|PRC}} [[Nie Haisheng|Niè Hǎishèng]]
| crew_callsign         = 
| crew_photo            = File:Shenzhou 6 Crew Portrait.jpg
| crew_photo_caption    =(L-R) Jùnlóng and Hǎishèng

| previous_mission      = [[Shenzhou 5]]
| next_mission          = [[Shenzhou 7]]
| programme             = [[Shenzhou program|Shenzhou]] missions
}}

'''Shenzhou 6''' ({{zh|s=神舟六号|p=Shénzhōu lìuhào}}) was the second [[human spaceflight]] of the [[Chinese space program]], launched on October 12, 2005, on a [[Long March 2F]] rocket from the [[Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center]]. The [[Shenzhou spacecraft]] carried a crew of [[Fei Junlong|Fèi Jùnlóng]] (费俊龙) and [[Nie Haisheng|Niè Hǎishèng]] (聂海胜) for five days in [[low Earth orbit]]. It launched three days before the second anniversary of China's first human spaceflight, [[Shenzhou 5]].

The crew were able to change out of their new lighter [[space suit]]s, conduct scientific experiments, and enter the orbital module for the first time, giving them access to toilet facilities. The exact activities of the crew were kept secret but were thought by some to include military reconnaissance, however this is likely untrue given that similar experiments in the [[United States of America|US]] and [[Soviet Union|USSR]] determined that humans in space are not suited for military reconnaissance.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Shenzhou 6 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Astronautica |url=http://www.astronautix.com/flights/shezhou6.htm |access-date=2006-09-19 |last=Wade |first=Mark |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061018142400/http://www.astronautix.com/flights/shezhou6.htm |archive-date=2006-10-18}}</ref> It landed in the [[Siziwang Banner]] of [[Inner Mongolia]] on October 16, 2005, the same site as the previous crewed and uncrewed [[Shenzhou program|Shenzhou]] flights.

== Crew ==
{{Spaceflight crew
| terminology = Crew Member
| position1   = Commander<br />(指挥长)
| crew1_up    = [[Fei Junlong]] {{Flagicon|China}}
| flights1_up = First
| position2   = Flight Engineer<br />(操作手)
| crew2_up    = [[Nie Haisheng]] {{Flagicon|China}}
| flights2_up = First
}}

=== Backup Team 1 ===
{{Spaceflight crew
| terminology = Crew Member
| position1   = Commander<br />(指挥长)
| crew1_up    = [[Liu Boming (astronaut)|Liu Boming]]
| position2   = Flight Engineer<br />(操作手)
| crew2_up    = [[Jing Haipeng]]
}}

=== Back-up Team 2 ===
{{Spaceflight crew
| terminology = Crew Member
| position1   = Commander<br />(指挥长)
| crew1_up    = [[Zhai Zhigang]]
| position2   = Flight Engineer<br />(操作手)
| crew2_up    = [[Wu Jie]]
}}

=== Crew notes ===
This is the first spaceflight for both crew members. The crew was introduced to the Chinese public and international media about five hours before the launch. Niè Hǎishèng celebrated his 41st birthday in space.

[[Huang Chunping]], the chief designer of the Long March 2F rocket, was quoted in the ''[[Beijing Times]]'' as saying the crew members who would fly the mission were selected from a pool of three pairs. Five pairs of astronauts trained for the flight and about one month before launch the two pairs with the lowest performance were dropped.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spacedaily.com/news/china-05z.html|title=Astronauts In Training For Second Manned Spaceflight|publisher=Xinhua News Agency|date=March 7, 2005}}</ref> The ''[[Ta Kung Pao]]'' newspaper had reported that Zhai Zhigang and Nie Haisheng were the leading pair, after having been in the final group of three for [[Shenzhou 5]].

== Mission highlights ==

=== Launch ===

The crew arrived at the spacecraft about 2 hours and 45 minutes before the launch and the hatch closed 30 minutes after their arrival. At 01:00:05.583 UTC on October 12 Shenzhou 6 lifted off from the launch pad at [[Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center]]. The launch phase was reported to be normal with the escape rocket separating 120 seconds after launch when the rocket was travelling 1,300&nbsp;m/s (4300&nbsp;ft/s). Sixteen seconds later the four booster rockets separated at an altitude of {{convert|52|km|mi|abbr=on}}. The [[payload fairing]] and first stage detached 200 seconds after launch. The second stage burned for a further 383 seconds and the spacecraft separated from the rocket {{convert|200|km|mi|abbr=on}} above the [[Yellow Sea]]. The spacecraft then used its own propulsion system to place it into a 211&nbsp;km by 345&nbsp;km (131 by 214 statute miles) orbit, with an [[inclination]] of 42.4 degrees, about 21 minutes after launch.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-10/13/content_484586.htm|title=Nerve hub of China's space programme|publisher=[[China Daily]]|date=2005-10-13|access-date=2006-09-17}}</ref> At 01:39 UTC [[Chen Bingde]], the Chief Commander of the [[Chinese space program]], announced the launch was successful. The crew ate their first meal in space at 03:11 UTC.

Before the flight, the launch time had been the object of speculation by the Chinese media. For several months before the planned launch its time was only given as mid-October, or even late-September. Then on September 23 it was reported by the Hong Kong-based [[news agency]] [[China News Service]] that the launch was tentatively scheduled for 03:00 UTC on October 13. This launch time was confirmed two weeks later by [[Jiang Jingshan]], a member of the [[Chinese Academy of Engineering]]. But then on October 10 an official from the technical department of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center said the launch was then scheduled for 01:00 UTC on October 12. This new launch time could have been designed to dodge the cold weather which had been forecast to hit the area.<ref>{{cite news |date=2005-10-07 |title=Cold weather may force China to postpone manned space mission: report |url=https://www.spacedaily.com/2005/051007055101.f4la908r.html |access-date=2024-12-18 |work=Space Daily |publisher=[[Agence France-Presse]]}}</ref> Assembly of the rocket was reported complete on September 26.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.people.com.cn/200509/26/eng20050926_210970.html|title=Shenzhou-6 spaceship finishes assembling|publisher=[[People's Daily]]|date=2005-09-26|access-date=2006-09-17}}</ref> On October 4, the Shenzhou 6 spacecraft was attached to the [[Long March 2|CZ-2F rocket]], also known as ''Shenjian''.<ref>{{cite news |date=2005-10-06 |title=神六飞船与神箭在酒泉发射中心完美对接 |trans-title=The Shenzhou-VI spacecraft and the Shenzhou-X rocket docked perfectly at the Jiuquan Launch Center |url=http://news.sina.com.cn/c/2005-10-06/03317101389s.shtml |access-date=2006-09-17 |publisher=Sina.com |language=zh}}</ref>

Unlike the uncrewed Shenzhou flights, [[Shenzhou 5]] and 6 were launched during daylight hours to provide greater safety in case of abort. The launch was televised live with [[China Central Television]] selling advertising for [[Renminbi|RMB¥]]2.56 million ([[United States dollar|US$]]316,000) for five seconds, to RMB¥8.56 million (US$1 million) for 30 seconds.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sinodaily.com/2005/050920101933.sj5y9qa3.html|title=State TV begins selling ads for China's manned space flight|publisher=[[Agence France-Presse]]|date=2005-09-20|access-date=2006-09-17}}</ref> A video camera had been added to the rocket and images of it were broadcast during the ascent and the separation of the Shenzhou spacecraft.

Shortly after launch, recovery crews began searching a region from the [[Badain Jaran Desert]] in [[Inner Mongolia]] to [[Shaanxi]] for the launch escape tower, booster rockets, first stage and payload fairing. Of particular interest was the "[[Flight data recorder|black box]]" of the rocket, which contained [[telemetry]] that may not have been downlinked during the launch phase. It was found 45 minutes after launch somewhere near [[Otog Banner]]. It was first sighted by a herdswoman, Lian Hua, about 1.5&nbsp;km from her home. Other wreckage from the launch was found and destroyed at its impact location or brought back to Jiuquan.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/12/content_3608596.htm|title=Rocket "black box" found in Inner Mongolia|publisher=[[Xinhua News Agency]]|date=2005-10-12|access-date=2006-09-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514131642/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/12/content_3608596.htm|archive-date=2011-05-14}}</ref>

[[General Secretary of the Communist Party of China|General Secretary]] and [[President of the People's Republic of China|President]] [[Hu Jintao]] was present at the [[Beijing Aerospace Control Center]] to watch the launch. [[Premier of the People's Republic of China|Premier]] [[Wen Jiabao]] was present at the [[Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center]].

=== Five days in orbit ===

The first of several orbit changing maneuvers happened as planned at 07:54:45, with a 63-second burn to circularize the orbit. Based on [[United States Space Command]] [[orbital elements]], it was in a 332 by 336&nbsp;km (206 by 209 statute miles) orbit. After about an hour and a half, the hatch between the re-entry and orbital modules was opened and, for the first time, crew were able to enter the second living compartment of the Shenzhou spacecraft. Fèi Jùnlóng was the first to enter, while Niè Hǎishèng remained in the reentry module. They would swap positions about three hours later.

At 13:32 UTC, Niè and Fèi had a seven-minute conversation with their wives and children who were in Mission Control.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.china.org.cn/english/TRsummer/77436.htm|title=Chinese Astronaut Calls Family from Space|publisher=[[Xinhua News Agency]]|date=2005-10-15|access-date=2006-09-17}}</ref> Niè's daughter sang "[[Happy Birthday to You]]", as his birthday is October 13.

The activities of the crew were not fully revealed by the Chinese. Only vague references to experiments were made, though some were made public. One experiment involved the crew testing the reaction of the spacecraft to movement within the orbital and reentry modules. They moved between the modules, opening and closing the hatches and operating equipment with "more strength" than normally required.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.shanghaidaily.com/art/2005/10/13/202008/Astronauts_test_the_spacecraft.htm|title=Astronauts test the spacecraft|date=2005-10-13|publisher=[[Shanghai Daily]]|access-date=2006-09-17}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

A second orbital maneuver occurred at 21:56 on October 13. It raised the orbit that had been lowered due to [[atmospheric drag]], and lasted 6.5 seconds.

On October 15, Niè and Fèi had a two-minute conversation with [[General Secretary of the Communist Party of China|General Secretary]] and [[President of the People's Republic of China|President]] [[Hu Jintao]], beginning at 08:29. During the conversation, Hu told them "The motherland and people are proud of you. I hope you will successfully complete your task by carrying out the mission calmly and carefully and have a triumphant return".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/051015_shenzhou6_day4.html|title=Chinese President Praises Shenzhou 6 Crew |date=2005-10-15|publisher=[[Space.com]]|access-date=2006-09-17}}</ref>

=== Re-entry and landing ===
[[File:Nie Haisheng gets out of reentry.jpg|right|thumb|[[Nie Haisheng]] exits the re-entry capsule of Shenzhou 6 at the main landing field in Central Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.]]

The re-entry process began at 19:44 on October 16 when the orbital module separated as planned from the rest of the spacecraft. Unlike with the [[Soyuz spacecraft]], this is done before the re-entry burn, allowing the orbital module to stay in orbit for extended months-long missions or to act as a docking target for later flights. The orbital module fired its engines twice on October 19 to give it a circular orbit with a height of {{convert|355|km|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/051021_shenzhou6_orbital_module.html|title=Shenzhou 6 Orbital Module Reaches Higher Orbit|date=2005-10-21|publisher=[[Space.com]]|access-date=2006-09-17}}</ref>

One minute after this separation, the engines on the service module ignited over the coast of [[West Africa]] to slow the spacecraft. At 20:07, the re-entry module separated and five minutes later the re-entry proper began, as the Shenzhou capsule entered the top of the atmosphere, over China. The [[communications blackout]] that occurs during re-entry started at 20:16 and two minutes later radio communication was regained with the spacecraft. The main parachute opened and the capsule began to slowly descend to a landing on the Inner Mongolia northern grasslands at 4:33&nbsp;a.m. local time (20:33 UTC).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n0510/16shenzhou6/|title=Chinese astronauts return from space|publisher=Spaceflight Now|date=October 16, 2005}}</ref> The capsule landed approximately 1&nbsp;km (about 1000 yards) from its planned target.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/2238/2005-10-17/118@277025.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711171814/http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/2238/2005-10-17/118@277025.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-07-11|title=Shenzhou-6 Landed Successfully|date=2005-10-17|publisher=[[China Radio International]]|access-date=2006-09-17}}</ref>

About half an hour after landing, the recovery forces had the hatch of the spacecraft open and first Fèi, and then Niè emerged. Hou Ying, chief designer of the landing site system, said the recovery was improved over that of Shenzhou 5.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/17/content_3623154.htm|title=Shenzhou-6's recovery extremely satisfactory|date=2005-10-17|publisher=Xinhua News Agency|access-date=2006-09-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514131650/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/17/content_3623154.htm|archive-date=2011-05-14}}</ref> After medical check-ups and a light meal the astronauts were put on a special plane bound for Beijing, where they were placed into medical isolation for the following two weeks.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/18/content_3638323.htm|title=Astronauts in medical isolation|date=2005-10-18|publisher=[[China Central Television]]|access-date=2006-09-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061109230220/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/18/content_3638323.htm|archive-date=2006-11-09}}</ref> At 21:46, [[Chen Bingde]] had declared the entire mission to be a success.

The capsule was returned to Beijing by train and handed over to [[China Research Institute of Space Technology]] at [[Changping railway station (Beijing)|Changping railway station]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/18/content_3642275.htm|title=Shenzhou-6 re-entry capsule handed over to developer|date=2005-10-18|publisher=Xinhua News Agency|access-date=2006-09-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024020748/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/18/content_3642275.htm|archive-date=2007-10-24}}</ref>

The orbital module continued to orbit the Earth, gathering more information from experiments on board. The module also gave Chinese mission controllers experience at long-duration spaceflights. After 2,920 orbits of the Earth, its active mission ended on April 15, 2006. It is still in orbit, and will reenter when its orbit sufficiently decays.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Orbiting_Chinese_Space_Capsule_Completes_Mission.html|title=Orbiting Chinese Space Capsule Completes Mission|date=2006-04-15|publisher=Agence France-Presse|access-date=2006-09-17}}</ref>

There were two planned landing sites for the mission. The primary site was the [[Banner (Inner Mongolia)|banner]] of [[Siziwang]] in [[Inner Mongolia]]. The secondary site was at the Jiuquan launch site. In addition, there were recovery forces at [[Yinchuan]], [[Yulin, Shaanxi|Yulin]] and [[Handan]]. It is also possible for the Shenzhou spacecraft to [[splashdown (spacecraft landing)|splashdown]] in the ocean should the need arise, with further recovery crews in the [[Yellow Sea]], the [[East China Sea]] and the Pacific Ocean.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/12/content_3608775.htm|title=Landing field system operating after Shenzhou-6 lifts off|date=2005-10-12|publisher=Xinhua News Agency|access-date=2006-09-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514131738/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/12/content_3608775.htm|archive-date=2011-05-14}}</ref>

Some Chinese diplomats are trained and equipped for any emergency landing at sites that are not on Chinese territory. [[Zhang Shuting]], chief designer of the emergency and rescue system, has said that emergency landing sites have been identified in Australia, [[Southwest Asia]], [[North Africa]], [[Western Europe]], the United States and South America.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.people.com.cn/200510/14/eng20051014_214371.html|title=Shenzhou-6 able to return in emergency at any time: chief designer|date=2005-10-14|publisher=People's Daily|access-date=2006-09-17}}</ref> The diplomatic mission nearest to the landing site will be given the task to head any rescue mission if necessary. The Chinese government had advised Australia that emergency landing sites have been identified in [[New South Wales]], Queensland, the [[Northern Territory]] and Western Australia. [[Emergency Management Australia]], the [[Government of Australia|Australian government]] agency that co-ordinates the response to major contingencies, has said they are ready to deal with any emergencies that arise during spaceflights.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/in-case-of-cosmic-crisis-just-crash-near-australia/2005/10/11/1128796528933.html|title=Crisis? Crash near Oz|date=2005-10-12|publisher=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=2006-09-17}}</ref> However, the return module is designed to allow access from the outside only to those with a special key. A copy of this key has not been made available to Australian officials, but it was reported that an unnamed Chinese [[military attaché]] at the Chinese embassy in [[Canberra]] had one.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.csuchen.de/news/viewarticle.php?id=116153 |title=Secrets for Chinese eyes only if space capsule falls to earth |date=2005-10-15 |publisher=[[The Australian]] |access-date=2006-09-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928191204/http://www.csuchen.de/news/viewarticle.php?id=116153 |archive-date=September 28, 2007 }}</ref>

==== Project management ====
As with previous Shenzhou series, Chinese military is heavily involved, and in official Chinese documents, project managers are referred as project commanders instead:
* General project manager / commander: [[Chen Bingde]]
* 1st vice general project manager / commander: [[Lieutenant General]] Hu Shixiang (胡世祥), vice director-general of [[General Armaments Department]]
* Vice general project manager / commander: [[Zhang Qingwei]]
* Vice general project manager / commander: [[Jiang Mianheng]]
* Vice general project manager / commander: [[Sun Laiyan]]
* General engineer: [[Wang Yongzhi]]
* Vice general engineer: Zhou Jianping (周建平), who was born in [[Wangcheng County]], 1957. He obtained his M.S. from [[Dalian University of Technology]], his Ph.D. from National University of Defense Technology, where he became a professor. From 1993 thru 1995, he studies in the United States. He would later become the general engineer for [[Shenzhou 7]].
* Director of [[Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center]]: [[Major General]] Zhang Yulin (张育林)
* Vice director of [[Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center]]: [[Major General]] Cui Jijun (崔吉俊)
* General engineer of ground support at [[Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center]]: Wang Jingan (王金安)

== Upgrades ==
The Chinese space officials have said that the Long March 2F rocket featured a "fire security system" on the escape tower. Speculation on what this means ranges from better fail-safes to stop accidental firings, to the addition of a [[fire extinguisher]]. The ''[[Wen Wei Po]]'' newspaper have reported that the rocket appeared the same as that used for Shenzhou 5 except that a "transition segment" was visible at the top of the Shenzhou 6 stack, attached to one end of the orbital module.

China Aerospace Science and Technology, the major manufacturer of both the Shenzhou spacecraft and the Long March rocket have said that although the flight featured a second astronaut and was much longer than Shenzhou 5, the rocket and spacecraft did not weigh much more due to optimisation of its systems.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-01/21/content_410892.htm|title=Space mission set: two to orbit in Shenzhou-VI|date=2005-01-21|publisher=[[China Daily]]|access-date=2006-09-17}}</ref> Only 200&nbsp;kg (about 440&nbsp;lb) more was needed for the second astronaut.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.redorbit.com/news/space/250050/china_prepares_for_shenzhou_vi_space_flight_13_october_/|title=China Prepares for Shenzhou VI Space Flight 13 October – Agency|date=2005-09-24|publisher=[[Zhongguo Tongxun She]]|access-date=2006-09-17}}</ref> Among the amenities on board for the crew was hot food, sleeping bags and essential sanitary equipment. The sleeping bag was hooked to a wall of the orbital module and the crew had alternating sleep periods.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/12/content_3609268.htm|title=How do astronauts eat, sleep in spaceship?|date=2005-10-12|publisher=Xinhua News Agency|access-date=2006-09-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514131807/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/12/content_3609268.htm|archive-date=2011-05-14}}</ref> The [[shock absorber]]s in the crew seats were redesigned so as to provide more safety to the crew in case the braking rockets fail to fire just before touchdown. The flight telemetry recorder on the spacecraft had its memory increased to about 1 [[gigabyte]], and the [[read/write speed]] was now 10 times as fast as the computers carried on previous flights.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.people.com.cn/200510/12/eng20051012_213999.html|title=The look of Shenzhou-VI manned spaceship|date=2005-10-13|publisher=People's Daily|access-date=2006-09-17}}</ref> It was also about half the size of that carried on Shenzhou 5. Overall, 95% of the Shenzhou 6 space capsule is indigenously designed/produced in China, the highest rate in comparison to the previous ones.

The menu included [[pineapple]]-filled [[mooncake]]s, [[green vegetable]]s, [[braised]] [[bamboo shoot]]s, [[rice]], and [[bean congee]]. In total there was 40&nbsp;kg (about 88&nbsp;lb) of food on board.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-10/12/content_484381.htm|title=Fly me to the mooncakes|date=2005-10-12|publisher=Reuters|access-date=2006-09-17}}</ref> A somewhat strange aspect of the mission reported in the Chinese press was the fixation on the purity of drinking water for the astronauts, where it was claimed that their water reportedly comes from a mine {{convert|1.7|km|mi|abbr=on}} underground and was disinfected with an [[electrolyte|electrolytic]] [[silver]] solution. It has thus been said by the press that they are drinking the "purest water in China".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.people.com.cn/200510/12/eng20051012_213941.html|title=Astronauts aboard Shenzhou-6 drink "purest" water from deep underground|date=2005-10-12|publisher=Xinhua News Agency|access-date=2006-09-17}}</ref>

It had been reported that, on Shenzhou 5, astronaut [[Yang Liwei]] suffered from a "minor heartache" after his launch. It is thought that this refers to [[space adaptation syndrome]] experienced by about one third of astronauts during the first few days of a spaceflight. The ''[[People's Daily]]'' said that the interior design of the spacecraft has been changed to hopefully lessen the likelihood of [[nausea]] and other symptoms.

== Experiments ==
It was announced in July 2005 that Shenzhou 6 would carry one experiment involving the [[spermatozoon|sperm]] of [[pig]]s from Rongchang County, [[Chongqing]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://indcoup.blogspot.com/2005/07/pigs-in-space.html|title=China Space Flight to Test Cosmic Radiation on Pig Sperm|date=2005-07-18|publisher=[[Deutsche Presse-Agentur]]|access-date=2006-09-17}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> But on October 11 it was revealed by Liu Luxiang, director of the Centre for Space Breeding at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, that there were no plans for animal or plant seeds on the flight. He said the focus of Shenzhou 6 was the physical reactions of the crew to the space environment.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.people.com.cn/200510/11/eng20051011_213771.html|title=Official: Shenzhou VI not to carry plant seeds|date=2005-10-11|publisher=China Daily|access-date=2006-09-17}}</ref> This was seemingly contradicted a year and a half after the flight when [[sweet potato]]es started being sold for [[Valentine's Day]] that had been grown from seeds reportedly taken on the flight.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6353403.stm|title=Lift-off for Chinese space potato|date=2007-02-12|access-date=2007-02-13 | work=BBC News}}</ref>

Morris Jones who writes for SpaceDaily.com has speculated that the lack of any other announced experiments suggested that the mission could be oriented more toward the military. The crew could have operated a large surveillance film camera, supplementing the uncrewed recoverable satellite program.

== Tracking ==
[[File:YuanWang2c.JPG|thumb|250px|''Yuanwang 2'' in [[Auckland]], New Zealand on October 27, 2005. The ship was resupplying after being at sea to support the flight]]

There are 20 land-based tracking stations in the Chinese space telemetry network. These are supplemented by four ''[[Yuanwang]]''-series tracking ships. The [[Beijing Aerospace Command and Control Center]] global map showed their positions to be:<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/12/content_3607832.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080930055032/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/12/content_3607832.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 30, 2008|title=Beijing Aerospace Command, Control Center|date=2005-10-12|publisher=Xinhua News Agency|access-date=2006-09-17}}</ref>
* ''Yuanwang 1'' in the [[Yellow Sea]]
* ''Yuanwang 2'' about 1500&nbsp;km (about 900 statute miles) southwest of [[French Polynesia]]
* ''Yuanwang 3'' off the [[Namibia]]n coast
* ''Yuanwang 4'' off the coast of Western Australia in the Indian Ocean

Only one other land-based tracking station is outside China — at [[Swakopmund]] in [[Namibia]].

Shortly after the Shenzhou 5 flight in 2003, the Pacific nation of [[Kiribati]] established [[Diplomatic recognition|diplomatic ties]] with the [[Republic of China]] (Taiwan), leading the People's Republic of China (PRC) to cut off diplomatic ties under its [[One-China policy]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www2.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2003-12/01/content_286035.htm|title=Diplomatic dispute won't hurt space mission|publisher=China Daily|date=2003-12-01|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204035942/http://www2.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2003-12/01/content_286035.htm|archive-date=2012-02-04}}</ref> Following this, the PRC has dismantled a [[Telemetry|tracking]] station that had been built on [[Tarawa Atoll|Tarawa]], the capital island of Kiribati, to track spaceflights.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/world/china/kiribati.htm|title=South Tarawa Island, Republic of Kiribati|access-date=17 September 2006}}</ref>

== International reaction ==

=== Statements from the Greater China area ===
* [[File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg|25px]] The Central Government of the People's Republic of China – [[Premier of the People's Republic of China|Premier]] [[Wen Jiabao]] reiterated China's policy for peaceful use of space and hailed the successful launch.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.people.com.cn/200510/12/eng20051012_213934.html|title=Premier Wen Jiabao hails successful launch of spacecraft Shenzhou-6|date=2005-10-12|publisher=Xinhua News Agency|access-date=2006-09-17}}</ref>
* [[File:Flag of Hong Kong.svg|25px]] Hong Kong [[Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China]] – [[Chief Executive of Hong Kong|Chief Executive]] [[Donald Tsang]] congratulated the motherland on the successful launch.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/12/content_3608304.htm|title=HK CE congratulates launch of spacecraft Shenzhou-6|date=2005-10-12|publisher=Xinhua News Agency|access-date=2006-09-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514131900/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/12/content_3608304.htm|archive-date=2011-05-14}}</ref>
* [[File:Naval Jack of the Republic of China.svg|25px]] The [[Kuomintang]] (Chinese Nationalist Party) of the [[Republic of China]] ([[Taiwan]]) – [[Lien Chan]], honorary party chairman, said the "great scientific achievement is worthy of joy and pride".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/18/content_3638064.htm|title=Lien Chan hails successful re-entry of Shenzhou-6|date=2005-10-18|publisher=Xinhua News Agency|access-date=2006-09-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024020738/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/18/content_3638064.htm|archive-date=2007-10-24}}</ref>

=== Foreign countries and international organizations ===
* {{AUS}} – [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Australia)|Foreign Minister]] [[Alexander Downer]] stated that "Australia warmly welcomes the success of China's mission into space".
* {{BGR}} – [[List of Presidents of Bulgaria|President]] [[Georgi Parvanov]] sent a letter to Hu Jintao congratulating the PRC on the "remarkable achievements in peaceful exploitation of the outer space".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/18/content_3640464.htm|title=Bulgaria congratulates China on successful crewed space mission|date=2005-10-18|publisher=Xinhua News Agency|access-date=2006-09-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023233458/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/18/content_3640464.htm|archive-date=2007-10-23}}</ref>
* {{CMR}} – [[Ndoumba Eloungou Nestor]], secretary of Cameroon's [[External Relations Ministry]] said the launch encouraged a vast number of developing countries.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.people.com.cn/200510/13/eng20051013_214166.html|title=Various countries congratulate China on 2nd crewed space mission|date=2005-10-13|publisher=Xinhua News Agency|access-date=2006-09-17}}</ref>
* {{FRA}} – [[President of the French Republic|President]] [[Jacques Chirac]] congratulated the successful return of the spacecraft.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/17/content_3624324.htm|title=Chirac congratulates China on spaceship return|date=2005-10-13|publisher=China Radio International|access-date=2006-09-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023233416/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/17/content_3624324.htm|archive-date=2007-10-23}}</ref>
* {{JPN}} – [[Chief Cabinet Secretary]] [[Hiroyuki Hosoda]] hoped the crew would have a safe return and said development in China of crewed spacecraft was not a "military threat".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/12/content_3610439.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514132011/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/12/content_3610439.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 14, 2011|title=Japan hails China's successful launch of crewed Shenzhou-6|date=2005-10-12|publisher=Xinhua News Agency|access-date=2006-09-17}}</ref>
* {{RUS}} – [[Nikolai Moiseyev]], deputy head of the [[Russian Federal Space Agency]] said "another power has joined the space club" and that Russia looked "forward to further cooperation with them in all areas".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spacedaily.com/2005/051012070219.d8c2dzqk.html|title=Russia hails China space launch|date=2005-10-12|publisher=Agence France-Presse|access-date=2006-09-17}}</ref>
* {{SIN}} – [[President of Singapore|President]] [[Sellapan Ramanathan|S.R. Nathan]] sent a congratulatory letter to President Hu Jintao saying it was a proud moment for all Chinese.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/12/content_3609569.htm|title=Singapore hails China's successful launch of spacecraft|date=2005-10-12|publisher=Xinhua News Agency|access-date=2006-09-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514132016/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/12/content_3609569.htm|archive-date=2011-05-14}}</ref>
* {{UGA}} – [[Minister of State for Information]] [[Nsaba Buturo]] said the launch will stop the domination of outer space by a few countries in the world.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/13/content_3613110.htm|title=Uganda welcomes China's new start of access to space|date=2005-10-12|publisher=Xinhua News Agency|access-date=2006-09-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514132033/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/13/content_3613110.htm|archive-date=2011-05-14}}</ref>
* [[File:Flag of the United Nations.svg|25px]] [[United Nations]] – A spokesperson for [[United Nations Secretary-General]] [[Kofi Annan]], said that Annan extended his "warm congratulations...on the safe and successful completion of its second mission into space".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=16265&Cr=china&Cr1=|title=Annan congratulates China on its second space mission|date=2005-10-17|publisher=United Nations|access-date=2006-09-17}}</ref>
* {{USA}} – Deputy [[United States Department of State|State Department]] spokesman [[Adam Ereli]] congratulated China on the launch of its second crewed spacecraft, and applauded its success as only the third nation with this capability.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spacedaily.com/2005/051012202502.l5dk6tvx.html|title=US hails China's second crewed space mission|date=2005-10-12|publisher=Agence France-Presse|access-date=2006-09-17}}</ref>
** [[File:NASA logo.svg|20px]] [[NASA]] – Administrator [[Michael D. Griffin|Michael Griffin]] congratulated China on its launch and wished them a safe journey.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2005/oct/HQ_05343_Griffin_China_statement.html|title=NASA Administrator Marks China's Second Human Space Flight|date=2005-10-12|publisher=NASA|access-date=2006-09-17}}</ref> In his remarks, he noted "China, once again, has demonstrated that it is among the elite number of countries capable of human space flight. We wish them well on their mission, and we look forward to the safe return of their astronauts."<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2005/oct/HQ_05343_Griffin_China_statement.html | title = NASA Administrator Marks China's Second Human Space Flight | publisher = nasa.gov | access-date = 2010-12-10 }}</ref>
* [[File:ESA logo simple.svg|20px]] [[European Space Agency]] – European astronaut [[Frank De Winne]] wished the crew a smooth journey. He commented on the fact that Europe had yet to create its own independent crewed spacecraft.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/12/content_3608178.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514132039/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/12/content_3608178.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 14, 2011|title=European astronaut wishes China success in 2nd crewed space mission |date=2005-10-12|publisher=Xinhua News Agency|access-date=2006-09-17}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Spaceflight|China}}
{{commons category|Shenzhou-6}}
* [[Chinese space program]]
* [[Tiangong program]]
* [[Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center]]
* [[Long March 2F|Long March 2F Rocket]]
{{Clear}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}
* {{cite news|first=Morris|last=Jones|url=http://www.spacedaily.com/news/china-05x.html|title=Media Rollout For Shenzhou 6|publisher=SpaceDaily|date=March 7, 2005}}
* {{cite news|first=Morris|last=Jones|url=http://www.spacedaily.com/news/china-05zzzzzzzr.html|title=Media Weighing Up ''Shenzhou 6''|publisher=SpaceDaily|date=September 27, 2005}}
* {{cite news|url=http://spacedaily.com/news/china-05zzzzzzzzd.html|title=Shenzhou 6 Mission In Final Preparation For Possible Launch On October 13|publisher=SpaceDaily.com|date=October 6, 2005}}
* {{cite news|url=http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/2238/2005-10-11/38@276204.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713063717/http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/2238/2005-10-11/38@276204.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 13, 2012|title=Yang Liwei Says Shenzhou 6 Astronauts Capable of New Space Mission|publisher=Xinhua News Agency|date=October 11, 2005}}

== External links ==
{{wikinews|has=news about this article| China successfully launches Shenzhou VI manned rocket| Chinese astronauts in Shenzhou VI return safely}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051024003921/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2005s6/ Xinhua News Agency coverage]
* [http://www.spacedaily.com/dragonspace.html Dragon Space – China's civilian, military and manned space programs]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051019011452/http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/china/events/shenzhou6/index.htm Shenzhou 6 – China's Second Manned Space Mission]
* [http://www.spacefacts.de/mission/english/shenzhou_6.htm Spacefacts data about Shenzhou 6]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050506171336/http://xmwb.news365.com.cn/dsy/t20050219_401477.htm Shenzhou 6 training photographs]. From ''[[Xinmin Evening News]]'' (in Chinese)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051215055350/http://english.chinamil.com.cn/site2/news-channels/2005-05/26/content_214230.htm "Getting ready for space flight tomorrow—"Heroic astronaut team" makes preparations for manned spaceflight"], ''PLA Daily''. Accessed July 24, 2005
* [http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/051011_shenzhou_launchcenter.html "Satellite Spots China’s Manned Rocket"], [http://www.space.com Space.com] article about [[IKONOS]] satellite image of Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center

{{Shenzhou program|before=[[Shenzhou 5]]|after=[[Shenzhou 7]]}}
{{Orbital launches in 2005}}

[[Category:Human spaceflights|Shenzhou 06]]
[[Category:China Manned Space Program|Shenzhou 06]]
[[Category:Spacecraft launched in 2005]]
[[Category:2005 in China]]
[[Category:Spacecraft which reentered in 2005]]