Shenzhou-10 Docks with Tiangong-1
Shenzhou-10 completes automated docking with space module, Xinhua
“China’s Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft successfully completed an automated docking procedure with the orbiting Tiangong-1 space module at 1:18 p.m. Thursday, according to the Beijing Aerospace Control Center.
The docking procedure was the fifth to take place between Shenzhou-type spacecraft and the space module. Previous dockings include two automated operations by the unmanned Shenzhou-8 in 2011 and both an automated and manual docking by the manned Shenzhou-9 in 2012.”
So, the Chinese space program is now more or less at the level of Gemini 10, and almost ready to begin their “Apollo” phase. I’m betting that they’re smart ewnough to skip over the unnecessary parts, maybe even skipping an Apollo 8 and going straight to Apollo 10 or 11. Good luck to them; I’m impressed.