Shenzhou-9 astronauts send first message to the earth

The message shows on the screen.

Liu edited and delivered the message through an e-mail transmission system linking the Tiangong-1 module with the earth.

Liu edited and delivered the message through an e-mail transmission system linking the Tiangong-1 module with the earth.

By Ma Qian, Sina English

Female astronaut Liu Yang, on behalf of the Shenzhou-9 crew, sent their first message from the space module to the earth at 16:43 on June 25.

Liu edited and delivered the message through an e-mail transmission system linking the Tiangong-1 module with the earth.

The message, now released to the general public, goes as follows: at this very moment, we, in the Tiangong-1 module, pay great tribute to our nation, 340 kilometers away from us. We also extend our greetings to all the friends! We hope the message will bridge space and the earth, displaying the charm of the manned space flight, in efforts to carry on the spirit of the manned space program and motivate more talents to involve in the national building and the country’s space program --Shenzhou 9 crew.