China & U.S. In Space? Wishful Thinking by Some (Update)
IAF to receive back 300 unique space-flown flags at ILA 2012
“The flags, travelled in space for a total of 444 days, have been aboard Soyuz TMA-20, the International Space Station (ISS), Endeavour STS-134, Tiangong-1 and Shenzhou-9. Following their last flight, they will be handed over to IAF by a Chinese delegation including Ms Ping WU, Deputy Director-General of the China Manned Space Agency, and Mr Wang LIU, the taikonaut who performed Shenzhou-9’s manual docking to the ISS earlier this year.”
Keith’s note: “Shenzhou-9’s manual docking to the ISS earlier this year”? Wow. Who knew.
12 Sep 2012: Erratum: An error appeared in our press release dated 11 September 2012. Taikonaut Wang LIU performed a docking maneuver to Tiangong-1 earlier this year, and of course not to the ISS. Please find below the corrected press release.
it was a secret mission demonstrating rescue ability as required by international treaty
congressman Wolf is unaware of this treaty
Major Tom to Ground Control: “Docking successful.” Exclamatory muttering in background: “Oops, we docked to the wrong space platform!”
I think Congress critter the Honorable Mr. Frank Wolf is going to be upset about this. The only Chinese he wants in on NASA missions is stir fry and noodles and Kung Foo Panda movies.