CRI听力:China Accomplishes its First Space Docking

Nearly two days after it was launched, the unmanned Shenzhou-8 spacecraft has docked with the space lab module Tiangong-1 about 340 kilometers above earth.

The assembly will fly for some 12 days before they separate and prepare for a second docking.

The success of the docking procedure makes China the third country in the world, after the US and Russia, to master the technique.

Wu Ping is a spokeswoman of China's manned space program.

"The spacecraft's docking is only an achievement for the present stage. The next step will test the combination flight and the decoupling mechanisms. Much remains to be done."

Wu says China will complete the establishment of its own space lab around 2016 and a space station around 2020.

"We have done docking only once this year, and we'll conduct docking twice next year. Next year will mark the beginning of the space lab and space station stage in which China has to make breakthroughs in a number of key technologies."

Zhao Yuqi, deputy chief designer of China's manned space program, says the docking technology is vital to the program.

"Docking is the key and basic technology in the manned space program. We will use it in the construction of a space station where we will carry out science and technology experiments when completed."

China is planning to launch Shenzhou 9 and Shenzhou 10 spacecraft next year, both of which will dock with the Tiangong-1 prototype space lab. At least one of the two missions will be manned.

Two female astronauts are now believed to be on the active duty roster for future Shenzhou missions.

For CRI, I am Shuangfeng.