China's first manual space docking successful

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12:56

Three Chinese astronauts will return to Tiangong-1 lab module from Shenzhou IX spacecraft hours after a manual docking procedure finished, to continue experiments and researches in space.

A screen at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center showing the Shenzhou IX spacecraft and Tiangong-1 lab module being conjoined again, on June 24, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

A screen at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center shows the Chinese astronauts celebrating on the success of the manual docking between Shenzhou IX spacecraft and Tiangong-1 lab module, on June 24, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

12:56

The manual docking between Shenzhou IX spacecraft and the orbiting Tiangong-1 lab module has been successful as The Shenzhou spacecraft and Tiangong-1 lab module has been conjoined again.

It means China has completely grasped the space rendezvous and docking technologies and had the fundamental abilities to build a space station.

A screen at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center shows the manual docking between Shenzhou IX spacecraft and Tiangong-1 lab module being conducted, on June 24, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

12:47

The docking ring of the manned Shenzhou IX spacecraft touched the Tiangong-1 lab module successfully under the manual control of Chinese astronauts.

A TV grab taken shows the docking ring of the manned Shenzhou IX spacecraft touching the Tiangong-1 lab module successfully under the manual control of Chinese astronauts, on June 24, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

A screen at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center shows the docking ring of the manned Shenzhou IX spacecraft touching the Tiangong-1 lab module successfully under the manual control of Chinese astronauts, on June 24, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

12:40

China's first manual space docking started Sunday noon, as astronaut Liu Wang, assisted by his teammates Jing Haipeng and Liu Yang, controled the Shenzhou IX spacecraft toward the Tiangong-1 space lab module from a berth point 120 meters away.

12:36

The docking system of Shenzhou IX spacecraft is ready as the spacecraft stops 140 meters away from the orbiting space lab module Tiangong-1.

At the same time, Chinese astronauts tested the control panel, preparing for the first manual space docking.

Chinese astronauts tested the control panel before the manual docking between Shenzhou IX spacecraft and Tiangong-1 lab module, on June 24, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

The manual docking requires astronauts to have a precise judgement on the relative distance between Shenzhou IX spacecraft and Tiangong-1 lab module, a challenge to their capability of coordination, accuracy and psychological stability.

The astronauts have done more than 1,500 docking simulations on the ground to ensure a successful manual docking.

11:56

Shenzhou IX spacecraft stopped 140 meters away from the orbiting space lab module Tiangong-1.

A screen grab by the Beijing Aerospace Control Center showing Shenzhou IX manned spacecraft stopping 140 meters away from the orbiting space lab module Tiangong-1, on June 24, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

11:36

China's Shenzhou IX spacecraft is approaching the orbiting Tiangong-1 lab module from the berth point 400 meters away, preparing for a manual space docking.

To leave room for adjustment, engineers set up four berth points for the spaceship on the same orbit five km, 400 meters, 140 meters and 30 meters away from the orbiting lab.

Shenzhou IX kept an unchanged relative motion from the lab at each berth point for several minutes before the ground control center gives the go-ahead command for further moves.

11:26

China's Shenzhou IX spacecraft successfully parted from the orbiting Tiangong-1 space lab to the berth point 400 meters away from the module to prepare for the country's first manual space docking.

A screen grab by the Beijing Aerospace Control Center shows the Shenzhou IX manned spacecraft parting from the orbiting Tiangong-1 space lab to prepare for the country's first manual space docking, on June 24, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

A screen grab by the Beijing Aerospace Control Center shows the Shenzhou IX manned spacecraft parting from the orbiting Tiangong-1 space lab to prepare for the country's first manual space docking, on June 24, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

10:56

Chinese astronauts have returned to the cabin of Shenzhou IX spacecraft to prepare for the first manual docking procedure.

A manual docking, if successful, will demonstrate China's grasp of essential space rendezvous and docking know-how. It will mean China is fully capable of transferring humans and cargo to an orbiter in space.

A screen grab by the Beijing Aerospace Control Center shows the Shenzhou IX manned spacecraft parting from the orbiting Tiangong-1 space lab to prepare for the country's first manual space docking, on June 24, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]