China launches woman into space

China on Saturday sent its first woman into space, successfully carrying out the much-anticipated launch of the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft, which will perform the first manned docking mission and lay the ground work for plans to build a space station.The three astronauts on board Shenzhou-9, including 33-year-old mother of one Liu Yang, were given a grand send off by top Chinese officials that was broadcast live on national television.

China moves closer to space mission

China moved a step closer to the launch of its first manned space docking mission by moving the carrier rocket of the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft into its “ready to launch” status and injecting it with propellant, State media reported on Thursday.The much anticipated launch, which could take place as early as this weekend, has been closely followed in China with one of the three crew members set to become the first Chinese woman in space.