China will launch a manned mission next year if the fourth launch of its Shen Zhou spacecraft succeeds in December, say programme officials. Engineers have conducted the final air-drop tests of the descent systems of the Shen Zhou, in preparation for the flight. There had been some concerns about the descent system after the first two missions ended with the craft on its side and badly damaged. The upright soft landing of Shen Zhou 3 this year persuaded engineers that only one more air-drop was required.
Source: Flight International