Shenzhou 3

SZ-3 orbital module (27408 / 02014C)

The ShenZhou-3 unmanned spaceship was launched by a CZ-2F space launch vehicle from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre (JSLC) at 22:00 Beijing Time (14:00 GMT) on 25 March 2002.
For the first time in the history of the Chinese manned space programme, the ShenZhou-3 is fully equipped with all that would be need for a manned flight, including the life support and emergency escape system. The spaceship also carried a dummy astronaut to test the reliability of life support system in space environment.
After staying in the earth orbit for 6 days 18 hours 51 minutes, the re-entry capsule of the ShenZhou-3 returned to earth in central Inner Mongolia at 16:51 Beijing Time (08:51 GMT) on 1 April 2002. The orbit module remained in orbit until 12 November 2002.

Launch Shenzhou 3.

Landing Shenzhou 3. Credit: #411a

Shenzhou 3 tracking ship Yuan Wang. Credit: #411a

Ref.: #7, #233, #411a - update: 18.07.21