October 16, 2003
The launch of Shenzhou V sparks texting fever
China's first manned space launch sparked an outpouring of nationalistic pride, according to The Straits Times.
"Across the country, millions more tuned in to the TV and radio, or logged on to the Internet to read about the first Chinese astronaut in space, Yang Liwei.
Others spread the news via SMS messages to friends and relatives. News portal Sina.com had a record 39'000 messages posted on its website by 6pm yesterday, most of them congratulatory messages expressing their pride at their country's achievement".
Previously
In October 2001, when Soyouz went up into space with female astronaute Claudie Haigneré, a service was set up to allow French mobile users were able to send her text messages. In a staged media event, she also exchanged messages with a French comedian Muriel Robin which was widely reported in the Press. cf n/e/tsurf.ch.
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