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Chinese Astronaut Jing Haipeng's Landing Salute
Credit: China Central Television/CCTV
Chinese astronaut Jing Haipeng, commander of the Shenzhou 9 mission, salutes after exiting the space capsule following landing in Inner Mongolia autonomous mission on June 28, 2012.
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Shenzhou 9 Astronaut Liu Wang's Landing Wave
Credit: China Central Television/CCTV
Chinese astronaut Liu Wang smiles and waves after exiting the Shenzhou 9 space capsule following a June 28, 2012, landing in Inner Mongolia autonomous region.
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Shenzhou 9 Space Capsule Lands
Credit: CCTV
This photograph of a China CCTV broadcast shows the Shenzhou 9 space capsule lying on its side after landing in an autonomous region of China in Inner Mongolia on June 29, 2012 Beijing time (10 p.m. June 28 EDT) to end a 13-day mission to the Tiangong 1 space lab module.
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Shenzhou 9 Crew Celebrates Manual Docking
Credit: China Manned Space Engineering
The three astronauts aboard China's Shenzhou 9 spacecraft grasp hands to celebrate their successful manned docking with the Tiangong 1 orbiting module on June 24, 2012. At center is astronaut Liu Wang, who piloted the successful docking. Mission commander Jing Haipeng is at left with astronaut Liu Yang, China's first female astronaut, at right.
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Shenzhou 9: China Manual Space Docking Success
Credit: CNTV/CCTV
This still from a CNTV broadcast shows China's Shenzhou 9 space capsule just after it was manually docked to the Tiangong 1 space lab by astronaut Liu Wang on June 24, 2012.
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Shenzhou 9 Astronauts Celebrate Manual Docking
Credit: CNTV/CCTV
Chinese astronaut Liu Wang holds up a closed fist in triumph while his crewmates Jing Haipeng (commander, on left) and Liu Yang (right) wave in this still from a CCTV broadcast of their docking on June 24, 2012, at the Tiangong 1 module.
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Shenzhou 9 Crew Aboard Tiangong 1
Credit: CNTV
The crew of China's Shenzhou 9 mission waves to a camera aboard the Tiangong 1 space module after successfully docking their capsule at the test module on June 18, 2012, in this still from a state-run TV broadcast on CNTV The crew is (from left) Liu Wang, Liu Yang (China's first female astronaut), and mission commander Jing Haipeng.
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Shenzhou 9 Commander Boards Tiangong 1
Credit: CNTV
China's Shenzhou 9 mission commander Jing Haipeng waves to a camera after boarding the Tiangong 1 space module following a successful June 18, 2012 docking, China's first manned orbital rendezvous, in this view from state-run TV news.
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Chinese Astronaut Liu Yang Portrait
Credit: China Manned Space Engineering Office
China's first female astronaut Liu Wang looks into a video camera while wearing a spacesuit just before boarding the Tiangong 1 space lab on June 18, 2012, following the docking of her crew's Shenzhou 9 capsule.
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Shenzhou-9 Docking with Tiangong 1
Credit: China Manned Space Engineering
Beijing Aerospace Control Center has this view of the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft docking with Tiangong 1 in June 2012.
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China Launches Shenzhou 9 Mission
Credit: China Manned Space Engineering Office
A Chinese Long March 2F rocket launches on the Shenzhou 9 mission, China's first manned space docking flight and first flight of a female astronaut, on June 16, 2012 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
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Shenzhou 9 Crew in Orbit
Credit: China Central Television/CCTV
The three astronauts on China's Shenzhou 9 space capsule wave to cameras wearing broad smiles after reaching orbit on June 16, 2012, in this still from a CCTV broadcast.
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Liftoff! Shenzhou 9 Launches Into Space
Credit: China Central Television/CCTV
China's Shenzhou 9 spacecrafts soars toward space atop a Long March 2F rocket on June 16, 2012, in this still from a state-run CCTV broadcast. The mission is China's first manned space docking flight and first flight of a female astronaut.
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Shenzhou 9: China's 1st Female Astronaut
Credit: China Ministry of National Defense
China's first female astronaut Liu Wang waves to supporters while clad in a spacesuit just before boarding the Shenzhou 9 space capsule for a successful June 19, 2012 launch from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
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Shenzhou 9 Launch: Booster Sep
Credit: China Central Television/CCTV
This spectacular view shows the rocket boosters separating as planned from China's Long March 2F rocket during the successful launch of Shenzhou 9 on June 16, 2012.
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Shenzhou 9 Crew Salutes Before Launch
Credit: China Ministry of National Defense
The crew of China's fourth human spaceflight Shenzhou 9 salutes officials after walking out to the launch pad at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on June 16, 2012. The crew includes China's first woman astronaut liu Yang (left), veteran Jing Haipeng, and first-time flyer Liu Wang.
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Shenzhou 9 Salutes as Flags Wave
Credit: China Ministry of National Defense
The crew of China's fourth human spaceflight Shenzhou 9 salutes officials after walking out to the launch pad at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on June 16, 2012. The crew includes China's first woman astronaut liu Yang (left), veteran Jing Haipeng, and first-time flyer Liu Wang.
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China's Shenzhou 9 Crew with Mission Patches
Credit: Xinhua
China's Shenzhou 9 crew, from right, Jing Haipeng, Liu Yang and Liu Wang, wearing their mission's emblem during training.
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Shenzhou 9 Mission Sends China's First Female Astronaut Into Orbit (Infographic)
Credit: Karl Tate, SPACE.com Contributor
China's three-person crew will test techniques for docking and inhabit the Tiangong space laboratory.
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China's 1st Woman Astronaut: Liu Yang
Credit: China Ministry of National Defense
China's first female astronaut Liu Yang, an Air Force major, salutes to reporters during a press conference on the eve of her June 16, 2012 launch with two crewmates on the Shenzhou 9 mission to the Tiangong 1 space lab.
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Shenzhou 9 Spaceship at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
Credit: China Ministry of Defense
A Chinese Long March 2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft rolls out to the launch pad at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on June 9, 2012. The Shenzhou 9 mission will launch three astronauts on China's first manned space docking flight.
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Shenzhou 9 Astronauts Meet the Press
Credit: China Ministry of National Defense
The crew of China's Shenzhou 9 mission meets reporters for a press conference before launch on June 15, 2012 at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. From left to right are: Liu Yang (China's first female astronaut), Jing Haipeng, Liu Wang.
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China's Shenzhou-9 Mission Crew
Credit: China Manned Space Engineering
China's astronauts Jing Haipeng (L), Liu Wang (R) and Liu Yang, China's first female astronaut, make up the crew of the Shenzhou-9 manned docking mission.
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Shenzhou 9 Crew Close-Up
Credit: China Ministry of National Defense
The crew of China's Shenzhou-9 mission, set to launch in June 2012, waves. L to R, Liu Yang (China's first female astronaut), Jing Haipeng, Liu Wang.
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China's Shenzhou 9 Mission Reporters
Credit: China Ministry of National Defense
Reporters pack a press conference room to meet the three astronauts of China's Shenzhou 9 space docking mission on June 15, 2012, one day before launch.
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Shenzhou 9 Spaceship at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
Credit: China Ministry of Defense
A Chinese Long March 2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft rolls out to the launch pad at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on June 9, 2012. The Shenzhou 9 mission will launch three astronauts on China's first manned space docking flight.
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Shenzhou-9 Crew Waves
Credit: China Manned Space Engineering
The crew of China's Shenzhou-9 mission, set to launch in June 2012, waves. L to R, Liu Yang (China's first female astronaut), Jing Haipeng, Liu Wang.
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Shenzhou 9's Veteran: Jing Haipeng
Credit: China Ministry of National Defense
China's Shenzhou 9 mission commander Jing Haipeng is the only veteran astronaut on the three-person crew. Here, he salutes to reporters on June 15, 2012, one day before launch.
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China Shenzhou 9 Spacecraft, Rocket Rollout
Credit: China Manned Space Engineering Office
A Long March 2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou 9 rocket rolls out to the launch pad at China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center ahead of a planned June 2012 launch of the country's first manned space docking mission.
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Jing Haipeng, Commander of Shenzhou-9 Mission
Credit: China Manned Space Engineering
Jing Haipeng is the commander of the Shenzhou-9 mission.
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Docking Opens a New Era for the Chinese Space Program (Infographic)
Credit: Karl Tate, SPACE.com Contributor
The docking of two robotic spacecraft, the Tiangong 1 space station and Shenzhou 8 capsule, provided a preview of larger Chinese space complexes planned for the future.
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Liu Yang, China's 1st Female Astronaut
Credit: China Manned Space Engineering
Liu Yang is China's 1st female astronaut.
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Inside China's Tiangong 1 Space Lab
Credit: Dragon in Space
A look inside China's Tiangong 1 space lab, which launched into orbit in September 2011.
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Shenzhou 9 Spaceship at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
Credit: China Ministry of Defense
A Chinese Long March 2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft rolls out to the launch pad at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on June 9, 2012. The Shenzhou 9 mission will launch three astronauts on China's first manned space docking flight.
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China's Shenzhou 9 Mission Rocket at Launch Pad
Credit: China Manned Space Engineering Office
This image released by the China Manned Space Engineering Office shows the Long March 2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou 9 capsule that will launch three astronauts to the Tiangong 1 space lab in June 2012.
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Shenzhou 9: Liu Wang Waves
Credit: China Ministry of National Defense
China's Shenzhou 9 astronaut Liu Wang, a senior colonel in the People's Liberation Army, salutes to reporters on June 15, 2012, one day before launching to the Tiangong 1 space lab.
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How China's First Space Station Will Work (Infographic)
Credit: Karl Tate/SPACE.com
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Shenzhou 9 Spaceship at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
Credit: China Ministry of Defense
A Chinese Long March 2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft rolls out to the launch pad at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on June 9, 2012. The Shenzhou 9 mission will launch three astronauts on China's first manned space docking flight.
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Shenzhou 9 Staff
Credit: China Ministry of Defense
Launch technicians stand ready as China's Shenzhou 9 spacecraft and Long March 2F rocket are rolled out to the launch pad on June 9, 2012.
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Liu Wang, Chinese Astronaut
Credit: China Manned Space Engineering
According to Xinhua news service, Liu Wang will be in charge of manual docking maneuvers during the Shenzhou-9 mission..
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Shenzhou 9 Ready for Transshipment
Credit: China Ministry of Defense
A Chinese Long March 2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft rolls out to the launch pad at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on June 9, 2012. The Shenzhou 9 mission will launch three astronauts on China's first manned space docking flight.
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Shenzhou 9 Crew Press Conference
Credit: China Ministry of National Defense
The crew of China's Shenzhou 9 mission, set to launch in June 16, 2012, sits to answer reporter questions a day before liftoff. L to R, Liu Yang (China's first female astronaut), Jing Haipeng, Liu Wang.
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Shenzhou 9 in Transit
Credit: China Ministry of Defense
A Chinese Long March 2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft rolls out to the launch pad at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on June 9, 2012. The Shenzhou 9 mission will launch three astronauts on China's first manned space docking flight.
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Shenzhou 9 in Transit
Credit: China Ministry of Defense
A Chinese Long March 2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft rolls out to the launch pad at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on June 9, 2012. The Shenzhou 9 mission will launch three astronauts on China's first manned space docking flight.
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Shenzhou 9 in Transit
Credit: China Ministry of Defense
A Chinese Long March 2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft rolls out to the launch pad at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on June 9, 2012. The Shenzhou 9 mission will launch three astronauts on China's first manned space docking flight.
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Shenzhou 9 in Transit
Credit: China Ministry of Defense
A Chinese Long March 2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft rolls out to the launch pad at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on June 9, 2012. The Shenzhou 9 mission will launch three astronauts on China's first manned space docking flight.
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Shenzhou 9 in Transit
Credit: China Ministry of Defense
A Chinese Long March 2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft rolls out to the launch pad at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on June 9, 2012. The Shenzhou 9 mission will launch three astronauts on China's first manned space docking flight.
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Shenzhou 9 in Transit
Credit: China Ministry of Defense
A Chinese Long March 2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft rolls out to the launch pad at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on June 9, 2012. The Shenzhou 9 mission will launch three astronauts on China's first manned space docking flight.
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Carrier Rocket for Shenzhou 9 Spaceship Arrives at Launch Center
Credit: China Manned Space Engineering
The Long March 2F rocket for the Shenzhou 9 spaceship arrived at the launch center on May 9, 2012.
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Shenzhou 9 in Transit
Credit: China Manned Space Engineering Office
A Chinese Long March 2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft rolls out to the launch pad at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on June 9, 2012. The Shenzhou 9 mission will launch three astronauts on China's first manned space docking flight.
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Shenzhou 9 in Transit
Credit: China Ministry of Defense
A Chinese Long March 2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft rolls out to the launch pad at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on June 9, 2012. The Shenzhou 9 mission will launch three astronauts on China's first manned space docking flight.
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Shenzhou 9 in Transit
Credit: China Ministry of Defense
A Chinese Long March 2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft rolls out to the launch pad at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on June 9, 2012. The Shenzhou 9 mission will launch three astronauts on China's first manned space docking flight.
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Shenzhou 9 in Transit
Credit: China Ministry of Defense
A Chinese Long March 2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft rolls out to the launch pad at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on June 9, 2012. The Shenzhou 9 mission will launch three astronauts on China's first manned space docking flight.
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Crowds Wave at Shenzhou 9
Credit: China Ministry of Defense
Crowds wave the Chinese flag as a Chinese Long March 2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft rolls out to the launch pad at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on June 9, 2012.
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Command Hall of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
Credit: China Manned Space Engineering
Command Hall of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, where ground controllers will command the launch of Shenzhou-9 manned spacecraft. Image released June 12, 2012.
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System-Wide Test at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
Credit: China Manned Space Engineering
Workers conduct a system-wide test at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
