The Xi'an Satellite Observation and Control Center, the only such institution in China, is gearing up for the expected launch of Shenzhou VI this week.

On the assumption that Shenzhou VI will fly for more than one day with more than one astronaut, the center conducted key research projects to improve its two observation systems communication and landing according to Chen Changgui, general engineer of the center.

"During the flights of China's Shenzhou series spacecraft before, the working status and reliability of our center's observation-control communication system and the landing system were fully tested, and we have made further improvements to the software and hardware systems for Shenzhou VI," Chen said.

Compared with the experiments for Shenzhou I to Shenzhou V, the overall technical performance of the observation-control communications system has been considerably enhanced, which meets the requirements of more people and more time for the second manned space flight, Chen said.

Space observation and control experts regard the newly improved technical system for Shenzhou VI highly, saying it has high maneuverability, co-ordination and reliability. The new system combines observation and control, communications, search and rescue, recycling and meteorological safeguard systems.

"During the flight and return of Shenzhou VI, the forecasting equipment and optical surveying station can solve the weather forecast problem if the flight time of Shenzhou VI is lengthened, and they can take photos of the spacecraft landing for research," the general engineer said.

Based in the capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, the Xi'an Satellite Observation and Control Center and its eight observations and control stations are equipped with precise high-tech observation and control equipment to track satellites and spacecraft.

On Monday morning, a rescue exercise was conducted in Yulin, a city in northern Shaanxi that Shenzhou VI will fly over 70 to 430 seconds after launch, according to Tang Xuzhen, an official with the Yulin municipal government.

"Yulin is the only emergency rescue spot within the boundaries of Shaanxi," Tang said. "And we trained in everything from finding the astronauts, carrying them in a helicopter and taking them to hospital."

(China Daily October 11, 2005)