Shenzhou-5Long March 2F China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Launch Status Success Tue ยท Oct 14th, 2003 9:00 PM EDT Watch Online Crew Yang Liwei Commander Status: Active 6/21/1965 - Nationality: Chinese Type: Government First Flight: 10/15/2003 Last Flight: 10/15/2003 Yang Liwei is a major general, military pilot, and China National Space Administration astronaut. In October 2003, he became the first person sent into space by the Chinese space program. This mission, Shenzhou 5, made China the third country to independently send humans into space. Mission Shenzhou-5 Type: Human Exploration This is the first crewed mission for China's Shenzhou program. Launched in 15 October, it carried the only astronaut aborad, Yang Liwei, on an 21 hour flight. Shenzhou 5 completed 14 orbits, followed by a safe landing back on Earth on the evening of 15 October. Location Launch Area 4 (SLS-1 / 921) Jiuquan, People’s Republic of China 102 rockets have launched from Jiuquan, People’s Republic of China. Rocket Long March 2F The Long March 2F rocket has been launched a total of 11 times with 11 successful and 0 failed launches. Agency China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Type: Government Abbreviation: CASC Administration: Chairmen & President: Lei Fanpei Founded: 1999 Launchers: Long March Country: CHN The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground equipment. It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956. View Rocket Launch Schedule