* Astronomy

According to the the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC) the Shenzhou-7 orbital module satellite has finished its preset mission after 100 days in space.
The satellite still has some remaining fuel, so the satellites mission will be extended and will continue recording more scientific data.
After being released on Sept. 26, the accompanying satellite was adjusted 13 times through engine ignitions so that it could focus on the orbital module of Shenzhou-7.
The orbital module satellite has being flying with the orbital module in an elliptical orbit, varying at a distance of between 7.6 - 3.8 kilometres.
The satellite has sent back thousands of high-quality pictures of the orbital module, which were captured by its two cameras.

Source Xinhua

A Long March II-F Rocket Body that was launched on the 25th September, 2008, from the Jiuquan Launch Centre for the Shenzhou 7 mission, is predicted to re-enter the Earths atmosphere on the 17th October 2008 @ 13:59 GMT ± 48 hours.

Predicted Decay Location     40.8° S, 65.9° E
Inclination    42.4°
Revolution Number    356

TLE Data

CZ-2F RB
1 33387U 08047B   08287.86918175 +.01253305 +85336-5 +29791-3 0 00556
2 33387 042.4000 075.8021 0046217 269.0947 090.4640 16.25325825002965
1 33387U 08047B   08288.48330367  .01362033  85751-5  27900-3 0   578
2 33387 042.3990 071.7455 0044271 275.1484 084.4728 16.27061470  3067
1 33387U 08047B   08288.11490590  .01320464  85478-5  29275-3 0   567
2 33387 042.3991 074.1784 0046250 270.6955 088.8779 16.26020408  3005
1 33387U 08047B   08288.05349297  .01284964  85433-5  28898-3 0   551
2 33387 042.3991 074.5838 0046575 270.2222 089.3945 16.25835181  2991
1 33387U 08047B   08287.80772535  .01253076  85297-5  30114-3 0   549
2 33387 042.3998 076.2072 0046550 268.6329 090.8770 16.25171016  2958

Chinese scientists at the Beijing Aerospace Control Centre, at 18:14 pm, Sunday successfully directed the  BX-1 monitoring microsatellite to begin circling the Shenzhou-7 spaceship, on an elliptical orbit of 4  x 8 kilometres.
The BX-1 microsatellite accompanied the Shenzhou-7 into orbit on September 25 and separated from the spaceship two days later.
Since September 30, the control centre have constrained the orbit six times to bring it closer to the space vehicle.
Since its orbital launch, the monitoring satellite has taken over 1,000 pictures of the Shenzhou-7.

Credit Xinhuanet

China's Shenzhou VII space capsule has returned to Earth after a successful mission orbiting the planet.
The spacecraft touched down in the Mongolian desert to rapturous applause from mission control. The three astronauts were said to be well.
While in orbit, the three-man crew conducted experiments said to be crucial to China's space programme.

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