The SARS virus in China will not delay launch of the nation's first manned spaceflight later this year, according to space programme officials. Preparation of the Shen Zhou 5 spacecraft and its Long March 2F launcher are proceeding at China Aerospace and Technology near Beijing, aiming for their delivery to the Jiuquan launch site for a flight possibly timed to coincide with the country's 1 October national day celebrations.
The spacecraft will likely be crewed by one Chinese astronaut, or "taikonaut". There are 14 taikonauts in training, including Li Qinglong and Wu Jie, who trained at the Russian Star City cosmonaut centre and are considered the favourites.
Source: Flight International