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This Day in Tech - 2003: China becomes the third nation to launch an astronaut into space.

Yang Liwei, a former People’s Liberation Army air force fighter pilot, spends 21 hours aloft and completes 14 orbits in Shenzhou 5.

Four Shenzhou (”divine vessel”) capsules, all unmanned, had previously been in orbit but Yang’s presence on board represented a great leap forward for China’s space program.

Yang, 38, logged 1,350 hours flying time as a fighter pilot before entering astronaut training in 1998. He was selected from among 14 candidates for the historic flight.

Yang shot skyward atop a Long March CZ-2F rocket booster, riding in a capsule that was based roughly on the Soviet Soyuz design.

It was larger than the Russian capsule, though, and — being newer — possessed more sophisticated technology.

Yang landed in the Russian manner as well, parachuting to earth rather than splashing down in the ocean, the preferred American method from Mercury to Apollo.

China’s achievement was widely applauded, even by two of its traditional adversaries, Japan and the United States.

NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe sent his congratulations and best wishes for continued success.