Chinese spaceship carrying 3 astronauts returns to EarthJune 26, 2013 - 09:49 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A Chinese spaceship carrying three astronauts returned to Earth on Wednesday, June 25 morning after spending two weeks in orbit, RIA Novosti said citing Xinhua news agency. The return capsule with the three astronauts - two male, one female, touched down at 8:07 a.m. local time at the designated area in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The Shenzhou-10, China’s fifth manned spacecraft, took off from the Jiuquan launch center in the northwestern province of Gansu on June 11. During their mission in space, the astronauts docked twice with the Tiangong-1 space station, which had been in orbit since September 2011. The Shenzhou-10 is a shuttle craft able to transport astronauts and supplies to orbiting modules. The mission is designed to test docking and astronaut support technologies, as well as capabilities for the construction of a space platform. China’s first manned flight into space was in October 2003, aboard the Shenzhou-5. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |