China launched its fourth unmanned spacecraft "Shenzhou IV" early Monday with a "Long March II F" carrier rocket, a move that could soon lead to its manned space voyage.
Leading scientists in charge of China's manned space program said the successful launch of the "Shenzhou (divine vessel) IV" laid a solid foundation for the country's future task of sending Chinese astronauts to outer space, Xinhuanet reported.
The "Long March II F" rocket blasted off at 00:40 a.m. (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gansu Province. It was the 27th consecutive successful launch of China-made rockets after October 1996. (Albawaba.com)
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