Shuguang (spacecraft)

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Shuguang One (

People's Republic of China during the late 1960s and early 1970s that was never built. The design was for a two-person capsule similar to the Gemini spacecraft
, that could be launched in 1973. Because of financial and political problems, Shuguang was cancelled on May 13, 1972.

Early development

As the Chinese space program developed during the sixties, various proposals for crewed spacecraft were made. Serious planning began in 1966, with initial sub-orbital test flights with animals to be made before a crewed mission.[1] However, shortly after these plans were made, several leading scientists attached to the project were denounced during the Cultural Revolution, bringing progress to a standstill.

Planning

As the

revisionist line of Nikita Khrushchev
and therefore competing for the leadership of the communist world, decided not to give up the Moon and outer space to the only two superpowers.

Thus, Chairman

CZ-2A
rocket.

New Space Center

In order to support the Chinese 'Project 714' crewed space program in the 1960s, the construction of a new space center at Xichang in the Sichuan province was decided, located farther from the border with the Soviet Union, thus safer. The 'Shuguang One' spacecraft was expected to be launched from the launch pad number one. After the cancellation of the program the launch pad was never completed. Today a viewing platform for officials has been built at the site.[4]

Cancellation

Due to the secrecy of the project and its low priority within the Chinese government, funding for Project 714 was meager. When Mao himself was asked to allocate more funds towards the project, he declared that the state must be concerned with terrestrial needs first.[1] Because of the lack of funding, the astronauts were released from the project and sent back to their units. On May 13, 1972, the last staff member attached to Project 714 returned to his unit, and the project was officially canceled. During the late 1970s and 1980s, official announcements were made that China's crewed space program was continuing, however, no significant amount of work was done, and these announcements were only propaganda.[1]

Design of the Shuguang craft

The actual Shuguang vehicle would have closely resembled the Gemini spacecraft, but would have been lighter and smaller to allow it to be launched by the CZ-2A, which had a maximum

splashdown, as there was no soft-landing system designed for the vehicle.[1]

Legacy

Nonetheless, after eight years of development, a fleet of

Project 921-1
(Shenzhou) that followed three decades later.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Shuguang 1". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 2007-07-14. Retrieved 2007-08-01.
  2. ^ "首批航天员19人胜出 为后来积累了宝贵的经验". 雷霆万钧. September 16, 2005. Archived from the original on December 22, 2005. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
  3. cctv.com. October 5, 2005. Archived
    from the original on June 9, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2007.
  4. ^ "百人大厅静得能听见掉下一根针". Shanghai Morning Post. 22 October 2007. Archived from the original on 9 August 2011. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
  5. ^ "中国计划开展载人航天 首批航天员开始选拔(图)". 雷霆万钧. September 16, 2005. Archived from the original on December 22, 2005. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
  6. ^ "为中华航天史册再添辉煌". 国防科工委新闻宣传中心. November 14, 2005. Retrieved July 22, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ "航天服充压实验". 雷霆万钧. September 19, 2005. Archived from the original on December 22, 2005. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
  8. ^ "中国最早研制的航天服为桔黄色 重10千克". 雷霆万钧. September 16, 2005. Archived from the original on November 28, 2005. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
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