Shenzhou 6, China's second manned spaceflight mission, lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert, marking a significant milestone in Chinese space exploration. The launch occurred aboard a Shenzhou spacecraft, featuring two cosmonauts: Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng. During the five-day mission, the astronauts orbited the Earth several times, performing experiments designed to test life-support systems, conduct medical assessments, and engage in scientific research in a microgravity environment. This venture was not only a technological achievement for China but also a demonstration of the country’s ambitions in the realm of spacefaring nations. The successful completion of Shenzhou 6 followed the earlier Shenzhou 5 mission, which had established China's place in human spaceflight as it successfully sent the first Chinese astronaut, Yang Liwei, into orbit for 21 hours in 2003.

The mission also featured advancements in spacecraft technology and supported long-term objectives of developing a more complex space program, including plans for a space station. Throughout the flight, the astronauts communicated with ground control to ensure all systems operated correctly, and they participated in educational outreach by sharing their experiences with audiences back on Earth. Shenzhou 6's successful completion solidified China's growing reputation as a space power and laid the groundwork for future human and robotic missions. The spacecraft returned safely to Earth, successfully landing in Inner Mongolia, which marked another significant achievement for China's aerospace capabilities.