At 6:30 on November 20, 1999, at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, a new type of Long March carrier rocket was ignited and took off. It carried China's first self-developed experimental spacecraft "Shenzhou" into space. About 10 minutes after the launch vehicle flew, the spacecraft and the launch vehicle were successfully separated and accurately entered the predetermined orbit. At 3:41 on November 21, the test spacecraft completed its space flight test and successfully landed in the central part of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
The Shenzhou experimental spacecraft consists of a propulsion module, a return module and an orbital module. The propulsion module is in charge of the power of the spacecraft and is located at the bottom of the spacecraft; The return module is the cockpit for astronauts to take off, return and live and work. It is also the control center of the spacecraft and the communication center with the ground. It is the core cabin of the manned spacecraft and is located in the middle of the spacecraft; Various instruments are installed inside the orbital module, which can be used for scientific experiments and earth observation.
The "Shenzhou" experimental spacecraft on this flight did not carry people, because before realizing manned spaceflight, it must go through many tests to ensure the safety and reliability of rockets and spacecraft. The former Soviet Union conducted five unmanned spacecraft tests in Gagarin last day, while the United States launched eight unmanned spacecraft.
The launch and recovery of Shenzhou experimental spacecraft is another milestone in China's aerospace history. It has proved that the spacecraft and new launch vehicles developed by China have excellent performance, and the new manned space launch site and space measurement and control network have advanced level. At the same time, it has also made China the third country in the world to launch spacecraft after the United States and Russia.