Early press speculation about a pending space launch prompted China's state media to confirm the launch of their first manned space flight. In almost-Cold War fashion, however, key details remained tightly-held secrets. Even as some information leaked out, the world media wasn't sufficiently satisfied to abandon the long-standing perception of secrecy leading up to the launch of the Shenzhou No. 5 rocket, which would land safely after completing its mission.
1. "Shroud of Secrecy" surrounds the launch 2. China joins the space-faring elite 3. Showcasing technical prowess and capabilities 4. National pride, strength, and cohesion for China 5. Undercurrents of military Implications Based on 150 stories appearing in major US and global media outlets from October 1-15. Evaluation and analysis by Cymfony, Inc.
