The American space shuttle Columbia tragedy won't affect the schedule of China's manned spaceship program. The Shenzhou V will be launched as originally planned: around autumn this year.

However, the disaster did heighten Chinese scientists' vigilance and altered their plan of carrying out a number of scientific experiments on board.

"All the experiments on material science and life science have been cancelled, as far as I know," said Professor Zhang Houying, a scientist with Chinese Academy of Sciences who is closely involved in the country's manned spacecraft program.

Without the experimental facilities, astronauts will find more space for activities within the vessel, he said yesterday during a lecture in Beijing.

Zhang said Chinese scientists will make the safety of astronauts a topmost priority.

"The staff sent to space will be reduced to a minimal level; the time will be reduced to as short as possible," he said. "The most important thing is a safe journey."

(eastday.com February 17, 2003)