Fresh from its second manned space mission, &to=http://english.pravda.ru/society/2002/04/12/27590.html' target=_blank>China’s space program wants to be able to put a man on the moon and build a space station in 15 years, an official said Sunday.
"I think in about 10 to 15 years, we will have the ability to build our own space station and to carry out a manned &to=http://english.pravda.ru/science/19/94/377/9994_moon.html' target=_blank>moon landing," said Hu Shixiang, deputy commander of China’s manned space flight program.
But the goal is subject to getting enough funds from the government, Hu said, explaining that the space program must fit in the larger scheme of the country’s overall development, reports MSNBC.
Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng, whose job title is "taikonaut" after the Chinese word for "space," received the honour in Beijing's Great Hall of the People, Xinhua news agency reported.
"The successful manned mission of Shenzhou VI has displayed the great creative spirit and excellent innovative capability of the Chinese nation," said Premier Wen Jiabao.
Fei and Nie spent 115 hours and 32 minutes in orbit last month, travelling a lengthy 3,25 million kilometres through space.
The duo will arrive in Hong Kong on Sunday for a three-day visit in the Chinese territory before heading to the neighbouring city of Macau, reports Independent Online.
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