To secure a new spacecraft mission that will carry more than one astronaut and fly for more days, the Xi?痑n Satellite Control Center has made enhancements to two major systems: control communication and landing, in an attempt to fully meet the technological requirements for flying China?痵 Shenzhou VI spacecraft. 

In the preceding test flying of Shenzhou series spacecraft, the performance and reliability of control communication and landing systems have been fully tested. The upcoming spacecraft mission asks for a manned payload of more than one astronaut and a longer operation. The Center, based on the previous five test flights, has made numerous improvements on the existing software and hardware. The comprehensive technological performance of the sixth mission of Shenzhou series spacecraft will see noticeable enhancements, especially compared with the previous systems.

Engineers told reporters that the new landing system, integrated with functionalities of control, communication, search, rescue, recovery and meteorological support, is of numerous enhancements, including more mobility, better coordination and higher reliability. In the upcoming test flight of Shenzhou series spacecraft, the landing system will add the weather forecast equipment to its meteorological component and an optical measurement module. The enhancements will provide weather forecasts needed by longer operation, and make real-time video recording of the process from opening the return capsule parachute to its descending.