China is inching closer to become only the third nation in the world -- after Russia (formerly USSR) and the United States of America -- to launch a manned space mission.

While Chinese space officials and state-run media have confirmed the much talked about event would take place in the October, the specific date continues to be a 'state secret'.

"After four unmanned trial flights, China's first-ever piloted spacecraft, the Shenzhou V is set to soar. When it does, and if successful, China will be propelled into an exclusive country club status: the third nation capable of independently rocketing humans into earth orbit," the website of China's leading official newspaper, People's Daily, reported.

Reports appearing in Hong Kong media, however, said the launch of Shenzhou V is likely to take place between October 11 and 17.

"Barring major technical issues and inclement weather, the historic Shenzhou V mission would likely be launched between October 11 and 17," Wen Wei Po reported.

Shenzhou in Chinese means 'divine vessel' or 'magic vessel'.

Whenever Shenzhou V roars into space it will be perched atop a Long March 2F rocket, and is likely to feature three modules from front to end -- an orbital module holding science equipment; the crew-carrying ascent/decent module; and a service module with attached solar panels loaded with electronics gear and rocket engines.

China has so far tested four unmanned spacecrafts from late 1999 into early 2003.