Third manned space mission set for October

By Chen Qian  |   2008-6-12  |     ONLINE EDITION

SHENZHOU VII will blast off with three astronauts aboard in October, the country's Manned Space Engineering Office said today.

China's first spacewalk is planned to take place during its third manned space mission. One astronaut will leave the spacecraft for the spacewalk, a spokesman of the office announced today, Xinhua news agency reported.

Two astronauts will use the space suit on separate space walks, but the office didn't reveal their names, the report said.

China's first taikonaut Yang Liwei said in an earlier report that the astronauts would perform work outside the capsule such as installing equipment and "tightening screws."

The spacewalk could be broadcast live on television, Yuan Jie, the director of the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, told the third session of the 13th Shanghai's People Congress, Shanghai Daily reported previously.

A researcher with the China Academy of Space Technology said in a previous report that the astronauts will be attached to the capsule with a cable for safety. The cable will also be used for communication and oxygen.

The office said astronauts have finished training for the spacewalk. They are now receiving training for flight procedures, equipment operation and weightlessness.
The office also revealed Shenzhou VII has been built and that other preparation work is going well.

China launched its first unmanned experimental spacecraft in November 1999 and sent Yang Liwei to space aboard Shenzhou V on October 15, 2003.

China was the third country after the United States and the former Soviet Union to send a man into space.

China later launched Shenzhou VI in October 2005 with two astronauts aboard for the first time.

Fourteen astronauts, including Yang Liwei, have been trained for the Shenzhou VII mission.