万众瞩目的神舟八号于2011年11月1日早5时58分07秒从酒泉卫星发射中心发射升空，预定两天内与9月底发射的天宫一号在外太空对接，这将是大陆太空史上的首次太空对接任务，也是我国在2020年左右建立空间站的前提条件。如果一切顺利，神舟八号将与天宫一号自动对接，共同运行12天。按照计划我国将在2012年底前再发射两艘神舟飞船与天宫一号对接：神舟九号和神舟十号，其中至少有一艘将是载人飞船。

The Shenzhou-8 spacecraft was successfully sent into the designated orbit after blastoff at 5:58 a.m. Beijing time at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China's northwestern desert area. It was carried into orbit by an upgraded Long March-2F carrier rocket.

Commander-in-chief of China's manned space program Chang Wanquan announced that the launch was a success.

"According to the report by the Beijing Aerospace Control Center, Shenzhou 8 has entered the designated orbit. I now declare the launch of Shenzhou-8 spacecraft a complete success."

Shenzhou-8 will dock with China's first space laboratory module, Tiangong-1, after a two-day flight. They will then separate after flying together for 12 days, and perform another docking procedure afterwards.

The docking of Shenzhou-8 and Tiangong-1 is a test procedure ahead of the launch of the Shenzhou-9 and Shenzhou 10 spacecraft, both of which are scheduled to dock with Tiangong-1 next year.

Aboard Shenzhou-8, scientists from China and Germany will conduct 17 experiments in devices jointly provided by both countries.

Wu Ping is a spokeswoman of China's manned space program.

"According to an agreement between the China Manned Space Program Office and the German Aerospace Center signed in May 2008, Shenzhou-8 was equipped with biological cultivation experimental devices including bio-incubators provided by Germany and controlling and docking devices provided by China. This equipment will enable Chinese and German scientists to conduct 17 research programs aboard Shenzhou-8."

Wu Ping says this is the first time for China's manned space program to carry out international cooperation in the field of space life science.

German scientists designed bio-incubators for the experiments while their Chinese counterparts are in charge of the development of control equipment and apparatus connecting with the spacecraft.

Wu adds that China will launch two more Shenzhou spacecraft next year. At least one of them will be a manned mission.

Experts say the spacecraft rendezvous and docking technologies are necessary for building a manned space station, which China plans to assemble by 2020.

For CRI, I am Shuangfeng in Jiuquan.

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