Good luck, taikonauts!

[edwino]

Apparently, China will be launching someone up into space in the next four days:
http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/space/10/13/china.space/index.html

As a backer of space exploration when it is actual exploration, I would like to send my best wishes to the one to three brave people about to be strapped to the rocket and shot off into 14 or so orbits.

I would also like to welcome a third space-faring nation into the fold and remind the US government that a little competition never hurt.

[Cliffy]

Although China's being close-mouthed about the whole operation, it's believed that only one guy is going up the first time -- although the craft is a three-seater.

Still, godspeed.

--Cliffy

[Bruce_Daddy]

I'm sure I'll be singing when I watch the launch: "It's been a long road. . . gettin' from there to here. . ."

[athelas]

Do that, and folks'll probably be howling in agony.

In China.

(I'm kidding, I'm kidding...)

[lieu]

Nothing quite like the peaceful use of gunpowder.

[kingpengvin]

Or an Inter contenental ballistic missile.

Up to this point there was a lot of ridicule by people over China;'s effort. Most people really don't understand how very difficult it is to put a human being into orbit and (hopefully) get them back alive. It is a major acomplishment and anyone who thinks China is a backwards nation forgets the true potential that nation has. I wonder if they will be on the moon by the next decade?