THE launch date of Shenzhou V, China's first piloted spacecraft, is still uncertain but the evaluation of the recently returned Shenzhou IV holds the key to the next stage of the space programme.

　　"It is a good start to our dream of sending Chinese astronautssintosspace, but there is still a long way to go compared with some other countries in this area," said Shi Jinmiao, deputy commander-in-chief and deputy chief designer of the Shenzhou IV spacecraft.

　　Shi said most of the technology used for the spacecraft is developed by Chinese researchers with independent property rights but some parts and components are imported.

　　The development of China's manned space programme, including the creation of a space station, is designed to demonstrate the comprehensive capacity of the country and would also boost related industries such as biochemistry, pharmacy, metallurgy, electronics and so on.

　　The upcoming flight will enable China to become the third nation to have an independent human space launch capability. The former Soviet Union orbited its first cosmonaut in 1961, followed by the first American astronaut to orbit in 1962.

　　Shi did not reveal the launch date but a senior official of the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology said about nine launch missions were planned in the new year.

　　"The successful launch and return of Shenzhou IV - which carried a 'simulated' personsintosspace - has laid a solid base for our future missions, but it is not a guarantee," Shi said.

　　Shi did not say how long the detailed evaluation of Shenzhou IV would take but he said there were still many problems to be studied and tackled to serve as reference for Shenzhou V.

　　The core issues were to improve the reliability of the craft and the manned operation system had to be completed to serve as a spare to make sure the pilots would be safe and enjoy a comparatively comfortable condition in the craft.

　　Qin Wenbo, deputy commander-in-chief of Shenzhou IV, confirmed that the launch date of the piloted spacecraft would be adjusted according to the weather conditions.

　　Shenzhou V has space for three pilots but how many of the 12 pilots now under extensive training and evaluation will flysintosspace is not known.

　　"The space flight is science, not gambling. We have to do our best to guarantee these lovely guys will return to the ground safely," Qin said.

　　The pilots are almost 170 centimetres tall, 65-70 kilograms in weight. Their food and clothes are specially prepared. They can freely contact ground-control by several high-tech means once they're in space, Qin said.