The Associated Press reports China plans to launch its second manned space mission on October 13.
The launch of Shenzhou VI is scheduled for 11 a.m. at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Base, in the Gobi desert in northern China.
China became the world's third space faring nation when Col. Yang Liwei, a former fighter pilot, orbited the Earth for 21 1/2 hours aboard the Shenzhou V capsule.
According to Space.com, the Shenzhou 6 mission is slated to last five days, and mark the first time Chinese astronauts leave their Shenzhou craft’s flight module and enter its experiment-filled orbital module.
China’s Shenzhou or "Divine Ship" spacecraft, are based on Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft, but carry extensive modifications and changes by Chinese vehicle designers.
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