The launch of China's first crewed spacecraft, Shenzhou 5, took place on October 15, 2003. On this date, China became the third country in the world, after Russia and the United States, to send a human into space by launching the Shenzhou 5 spacecraft into Earth orbit. This mission marked a significant milestone in the history of China's space program and showcased the country's technological advancements in human spaceflight. The Shenzhou 5 spacecraft carried Yang Liwei, China's first astronaut, who spent about 21 hours in orbit after launching from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, circling the Earth 14 times before returning safely. The event attracted global attention and established China as a major spacefaring nation alongside Russia and the United States. This observance was added to the Iranian Gregorian calendar to recognize the historical and scientific significance of the event and China's role in advancing space technology. The date is typically marked by recalling China's space achievements and its impact on international cooperation in space exploration.
