Share
Revelling in the pride of seeing its latest manned space rocket successfully launched into the history books, China’s state news agency has been left notably red-faced after slipping on an embarrassing publishing banana skin.
Chinese state news agency fakes Shenzhou VII rocket report. Image: CSNA.
Specifically, while the Shenzhou VII rocket and its trio of astronauts was still firmly rooted to the launch pad in Jiuquan, northwestern China, state-run news agency Xinhua mistakenly ran a story containing quotes from the crew describing their first night in outer space.
The publishing error, which certainly does not help alleviate claims made against Xinhua that it peddles state propaganda, was swiftly removed from circulation and attributed to nothing more unusual that a simple, undefined “technical error.”
British broadsheet The Daily Telegraph reports that Xinhua’s rather premature release described the Shenzhou VII spacecraft’s orbiting progress along with an onboard conversation apparently held between its three crewmen (or taikonauts).
With the Shenzhou VII standing fast and awaiting its final countdown, the article even referred to the reaction of onlookers as the powerful rocket successfully blasted clear of its couplings.
“Ten minutes later, the ship disappears below the horizon,” the despatch read, before outlining that, “warm clapping and excited cheering breaks the night sky, echoing across the silent Pacific Ocean.”
Despite Xinhua’s apparent inability to maintain a firm grip on its enthusiasm, the Shenzhou VII and its crew did eventually depart the launch pad ahead of an ambitious mission that will see 42-year-old Zhai Zhigang becoming China’s first astronaut to undertake a space walk.
The three-day mission exists as the next stage in China’s ongoing space program, which it hopes will lead to the creation of a permanent orbiting space station and also the successful completion of a manned mission to the Moon.
The Shenzhou VII launch was broadcast live on Chinese state television and was attended by President Hu Jintao.
Interested in a more interactive TTH? Join our Facebook Group Want regular updates from The Tech Herald? Follow us on Twitter
Advertising
Comment on this Story