Nov. 20, 1999, China successfully launched Shenzhou I experimental spaceship on a LM-2F launch vehicle in Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, which laid solid foundation for realizing the strategic target for manned space flight. Four orbital test flights of the Shenzhou spacecraft were conducted without crews. Remained in orbit for 21 hours, it made 14 0rbits around the Earth carrying a dummy astronaut, experimental seeds, national flags and a banner with signatures of participating engineers and scientists and after that the descent module lands in central Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region the next day.

The unmanned spacecraft consists of orbit, descent and propulsion modules. The orbit module is the place where astronauts live and work. The descent cabin lies in the middle of the spaceship, and is the astronauts cabin and the command and control center. It is a airtight structure with a hatch on the top for astronaut to get in and out of the descent cabin and enter the orbital module, and it is the only landing part of the spaceship to return into the air and to land on the earth. In advancement spacecraft has two solar cell wings, attached to the outside of the instrument propulsion module below the descent cabin. The two solar cell wing total area of 24.48 m2, which are deployed after launch and supply the power distribution. Shenzhou I experimental spaceship is the important milestone in China's spaceflight history.