The system will keep the craft away from the orbit of space debris by automatically changing its propulsion and speed, said Du Heng, chief scientist at the Center for Space Science and Applied Research.

To ensure the smooth launch and return of Shenzhou V, the center is keeping a close watch over the 9,131 trackable pieces of space debris to screen those that are most likely to get in the way, the China Daily said.

Space debris includes the increasing number of artificial objects or fragments cast off in space by humans.

Since the former Soviet Union sent the first craft into orbit in 1957, over 26,000 objects have been noted, the paper said.

There are currently 9,131 trackable pieces of debris, together with many more smaller items.

"The research into space debris that might fatally destroy manned spacecraft is greatly significant to China, even though it did not start until 2000 and is very much behind that in the United States and other countries," said Li Benzhen, an official with the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense.

The commission has earmarked 30 million yuan (3.63 million dollars) in funding to research how to minimize the effects of space debris and develop protection against it.

Li said China has put into operation an optical telescope with a diameter of 25 centimeters (10 inches) and will soon launch one with a diameter of 65 centimeters (26 inches).

China has said on repeated occasions that it plans to put a man into orbit around October, becoming the third country in the world to do so after the United States and the former Soviet Union.

SPACE.WIRE