Launch of Shenzhou 4 imminent?
China’s long-rumored launch of its fourth Shenzhou spacecraft may only be days away. The spacecraft and its launch vehicle are on the launch pad awaiting launch. Of the three previous tests of the Shenzhou spacecraft, the first and third were successful. The second flight experienced some technical problems. Informed speculation suggests that this fourth Shenzhou flight will be the last unmanned flight – with a piloted mission to occur some time in the coming year.