The Shenzhou 7 spacecraft touched down in Northern China on Sunday afternoon, successfully returning taikonauts Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming, and Jing Haipeng to Earth after a 68-hour flight that thrilled the Chinese nation.
The flight’s main highlight was a 20-minute spacewalk in which Zhai climbed outside of the spaceship clutching a Chinese flag. The nation’s first spacewalk was broadcast live throughout China.
This was the third successful manned flight of the Shenzhou, which is similar to the Russian Soyuz transport. China plans to eventually construct a space station in Earth orbit.
A Chinese travel agency is charging 15,000 yuan ($2,200) for a tour and tickets to watch the Shenzhou 7 launch on September 25. The four-day package includes accommodations, meals, air travel, and choice viewing seats for the launch of the three-man spacecraft. The crew is set to undertake China’s first spacewalk during the five-day mission.
If you are an average Chinese taxpayer who helped to fund the flight, you are out of luck. The package is only available to the media. Sorry.
Space-walk astronauts chosen
Shanghai Daily
“The three astronauts have been named for China’s third manned spacecraft when it blasts off next Thursday night for the nation’s first space walk.
“Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng, all 42, will become history-making astronauts after the Shenzhou VII shuttle roars into space about 8pm from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China’s Gansu Province.”
China’s self-developed EVA spacesuits packed into Shenzhou-7
People’s Daily
“China’s self-developed spacesuits for the extra vehicular activity (EVA spacesuits) are able to meet the requirements of spacewalk, said the spokesman of China’s Manned Space Project on Sept, 2008.
“The spokesman revealed that the EVA spacesuit weighs 120 kilograms and costs about 30 million yuan each.”
China is planning to launch its third human spaceflight on September 25. The three-person crew of Shenzhou VII will conduct the nation’s first spacewalk during the five-day mission.
The flight will demonstrate China’s growing prowess in space technology. On Sunday, the country broadcast greetings and two Taiwanese songs from its Chang’e-1 lunar orbiter to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. On September 6, China also launched its first two two Huanjing disaster monitoring satellites aboard a Long March 2C booster.
Continue reading ‘Shenzhou VII Launch Set for Sept. 25; Griffin, WH Disagree on China Threat as Talks Resume’
China to launch third manned space flight in September: report
SpaceDaily.com
Hong Kong newspaper Wen Wei Po has reported that China will launch its third crewed mission, Shenzhou VII, between September 17 and October 1. Three “taikonauts” will be aboard, with one of them taking China’s first spacewalk.
China will be launching its next human spacecraft in late September or early October, officials announced this week. The three-person flight will be China’s most ambitious space mission yet, featuring the country’s first spacewalk and the release of a small satellite. Chinese officials view the spacewalk as a crucial step toward the establishment of a space station.
The Xinhua News Agency has the full story. Space Daily also has a piece here.
