[June 23, Paris, Xinhua]On June 23, 2011, China Manned Space Engineering Project (CMSE) delegation accepted 300 flags from the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) during the Paris Air Show in France. These flags will be brought to the space on board the Tiangong I target spacecraft, which is scheduled to be launched in the second half of this year, and be brought back to the earth by a Chinese astronaut when he completes China’s first manned rendezvous & docking mission next year.
         

After handing over flags to Chinese astronaut Zhai Zhigang, Berndt Feuerbacher, president of IAF, remarked that “today is a very special day in the history of IAF”. In December 2010, the same 300 IAF flags were sent to the International Space Station by Russian manned spacecraft "TMA-20", and were brought back by U.S. space shuttle Endeavour in June 2011. Mr. Feuerbacher also said, it’s time for China Tiangong I to send these flags to the space again, so as to realize the desire that the flags would be carried to the space by all types of active manned spacecrafts in the world.
 　　

When the flags return to the earth again, IAF would deliver them to each member in proper time, so as to promote human peaceful use of the outer space and develop international cooperation for the manned space, Mr. Feuerbacher added.

 

Wang Dongju, deputy chief of CMSEO S&T Planning Division, expressed his thanks to IAF for the supporting and trusting to China manned space undertakings. He said, like UN flag aboard Shenzhou V Manned Spacecraft, the IAF flags to be carried on board the Tiangong I is another important international activity of China, which shows that China consistently and positively supports human peaceful use of the outer space and promots the international exchanges and cooperation in the manned spaceflight field.

                     

Established in 1951, IAF is a nonprofit and non-governmental organization, and its members include government organizations, industry professional associations and academic groups worldwide. IAF encourages the advancement of knowledge about space and the development and application of space assets for the benefit of humanity. IAF has extensive influences in the international space fields and has established a good cooperative relationship with China space agencies and organizations for years.（Yanan）