Shenzhou VII arrives at launch center

By Li Xinran  |   2008-7-10  |     ONLINE EDITION

THE Shenzhou VII manned spaceship has been transported from Beijing to the launch center in northwest China's Gansu Province for testing and assembly before China's third manned space launch, China News Service reported today.

The spaceship will have its module assembled and tested at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

Compared to Shenzhou VI, China's second manned space mission which had a crew of two, Shenzhou VII is more technically demanding and one of its three astronauts is scheduled to make a space walk.

The craft has a domestically developed airlock which will be tested in Jiuquan before being used for the first time.

China successfully launched two manned spacecraft into orbit in 2003 and 2005. Shenzhou VII is expected to be launched in October this year.

Shenzhou VII is planned to blast off with three taikonauts (astronauts) aboard in October when the first Chinese citizen ever will walk in space.

One taikonaut will leave the craft while the other taikonauts will wear spacesuits as they monitor their colleague's historic walk.

The spacecraft will also launch a small inspection satellite which will monitor the main craft.

The Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China has developed a major simulation system for training with ground equipment, surveillance devices and life-size digital rockets.

The taikonauts have reportedly completed their theoretical training for the mission.

They are now being trained with spacesuits and the airlock and using water simulators to get used to weightlessness as well as studying procedures for flights, spacewalks and specific missions.

The next phase of their training will focus on activities outside the spacecraft.

A Long March 2F carrier rocket will be used for the mission which will be more complex than China's previous two manned space flights.

China launched a new tracking ship on April 12 to monitor the Shenzhou VII spacewalk.