A rocket carrying two Chinese astronauts was sent into orbit following a two year break in China’s space program after sending it first mission into space.
The two are expected to remain in outer space for five days, in an apparent attempt to declare China as an advanced world leader in technology. China is the third country in the word to send men into space following Russia and the United States.
Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng blasted off from China’s Gobi desert as millions of Chinese citizens and the world watched on.
China’s communist aired the blast off in an unusual move of transparency.
The astronauts told viewers around the world via satellite from the spacecraft’s cockpit that they were "Feeling pretty good.” Both Fei and Nie are former fighter pilots, and are expected to orbit the Earth 80 times before returning.
