Chinese President Hu Jintao to attend G8 summit in Japan        Chinese, Thai militaries vow to further co-op        Shenzhou VII research crew ready to set out for launch center        Spokesman: U.S., Poland missile defense deal could come soon       
About Us Contact Us
Special Reports more
  Other News

Shenzhou VII research crew ready to set out for launch center

english.chinamil.com.cn 2008-07-02

  BEIJING, July 1 (Xinhua) -- The research team that developed Shenzhou VII, China's third manned space launch, will start final testing after arriving at a northwestern satellite launch center in a few days, said a space mission official here on Tuesday.

  The research and development team of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. (CASC) will set out for the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in early July, said Zhang Bainan, chief designer of Shenzhou VII.

  He said the spacecraft passed inspections by CASC and an expert panel.

  "Shenzhou VII's functions and performance fulfill the comprehensive requirements of the space program," he added.

  Compared with Shenzhou VI, China's second manned space mission with a crew of two, Shenzhou VII has more stringent technological requirements: one of its three astronauts is scheduled to conduct a space walk.

  The craft has a domestically developed airlock module that will be used for the first time, according to Zhang.

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


  Video more
Copyright @China Military Online. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.