space programs. Although it is far less secretive now than formerly,

fascinating revelations are still being made.

This book is the history of the Chinese space program from its earliest

times to the historic breakthrough of manned flight. Significant events

include

EUR Middle Ages: the inventon of the rocket

EUR 1956: the establishment of the space program

EUR 1970: the launch of its first Earth satellite

EUR 1975: the launch into orbit and recovery of a satellite

EUR 1984: the first communications satellite is put into 24hr orbit

EUR 2003: China's first yuhangyuan, Yang Liwei, orbits the Earth

EUR 2007 (planned): first probe to the Moon

China¹s Space Program gives China the prominence it deserves as Asia¹s

leading spacefaring nation.