Country's Second Manned Mission Described As Longer, More Dangerous

Only the third country ever to send humans into space, China launched its second orbital mission Wednesday, promising it would be longer and more difficult than the first.

"There is nothing to worry about," Chinese state television quoted the two "taikonauts" -- Fei Junlong, 40, and Nie Haisheng, 41 -- as saying just before their Shenzhou VI vehicle lifted off in a light snowstorm. "We will accomplish the mission resolutely. See you in Beijing." Their remarks were carried to the rest of the world by Reuters.

The two men, both colonels in the People's Liberation Army, will remain in orbit until Monday.

"I feel good," said Fei, shortly after the Shenzhou VI lifted off, live on Chinese state television. The two men could be seen inside the capsule, perusing flight manuals and manipulating the controls of the Soyuz-inspired spaceship.

The launch came just a day after US space tourist Gregory Olsen returned to Earth from the International Space Station along with the two members of ISS Expedition 10. It came two years after the first Chinese taikonaut, Col. Yang Liwei, made China's first manned flight in a solo mission that lasted for 14 orbits.

FMI: www.cnsa.gov.cn/english/index.asp