keywords: countdown shenzhou shanghai chinese astronauts
text: China Begins Countdown for Next Manned Space Flight By ELAINE KURTENBACH    SHANGHAI, China (AP) -- Chinese astronauts are in the final stages of preparing for a manned space mission that will orbit the globe 14 times before returning to Earth, a state-run newspaper reported Thursday.    The launch, expected sometime this month, will initially send a manned craft, the Shenzhou 5, into an oval orbit that at its closest will be 125 miles from Earth, the Liberation Daily reported, citing "relevant channels."    After circling the earth several times, the ship will enter an orbit at about 220 miles from earth, the report said...