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.