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Shenzhou 5

retired

神舟五号

Human SpaceflightLEOCOSPAR 2003-045ALaunched 10/15/2003
Admin Edit
Mission & Launch
Launch Mission
Shenzhou 5 Mission
Launch Vehicle
Long March 2F
Launch Date
10/15/2003
Last Contact
10/15/2003
Orbit & Mass
Orbit Class
LEO
Altitude
334 km
Inclination
42.42 deg
Dry Mass
3,300 kg
Total Mass
5,500 kg
Payload Classification
Mission Type
Human Spaceflight
Payload Category
SS
Payload Class
C
Organizations
Operator
China Manned Space Agency (CMSA)
Manufacturer
China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT)
Registry
COSPAR ID
2003-045A
UN Registration
ST/SG/SER.E/475
Track
Mentions
7
All verified mentions of this spacecraft in source documents.
0.0-5.0
Actions

Yang Liwei flew on Shenzhou-5 and subsequently was not flown again due to his national status.

GeneralValue 3.0Feb 15, 2026Long March 10A Test Booster Flew As Expected Despite Grid Fin Issue, Rocket Designer Says

Yang Liwei is Deputy Chief Designer at the China Manned Space Agency and was the first Chinese person sent into space onboard Shenzhou-5.

Governance
General
Value 3.5
Feb 15, 2026
Long March 10A Test Booster Flew As Expected Despite Grid Fin Issue, Rocket Designer Says

China's first crewed mission, Shenzhou-5 in 2003, made China the third country to develop independent human spaceflight capabilities.

GeneralValue 2.0Nov 29, 2022Shenzhou 15 astronauts arrive at China’s space station for first crew handover

Shenzhou-5 completed China’s first human spaceflight mission in October 2003.

GeneralValue 3.5Jun 5, 2022Shenzhou-14 crewed mission arrives at Chinese space station

Yang Liwei launched on Shenzhou-5 in October 2003 to make China the third country to achieve independent human spaceflight.

PlanGeneralValue 2.0Oct 15, 2021Shenzhou-13 heads for space station after reaching orbit

China has launched six crewed Shenzhou missions, beginning with Shenzhou-5 in 2003 and most recently Shenzhou-11 in 2016.

GeneralPlanValue 4.0Apr 13, 2021China preparing Tianzhou-2 cargo mission to follow upcoming space station launch

China has launched just six crewed spacecraft since Shenzhou 5 carried Yang Liwei in 2003.

GeneralCapabilityValue 3.0Sep 27, 2018China outlines intense period for human spaceflight, robotic exploration and satellite constellations