Scientists to leave for Jiuquan for launch of Shenzhou-VII

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Source: CCTV.com | 07-01-2008 15:10

Chinese scientists are preparing for the launch of Shenzhou-VII, planned for October. The team will soon leave Beijing for the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China.

Following a flag raising ceremony at the Beijing Space Flight Center on Tuesday morning, the Shenzhou Spacecraft team once again rallied for a pledge resolution before going on a trip to make launch preparations.

Following a flag raising ceremony at the Beijing Space Flight Center on Tuesday morning, the Shenzhou Spacecraft team once again rallied for a pledge resolution before going on a trip to make launch preparations.

The launch of the Shenzhou Seven spacecraft is planned for sometime in October in northwestern China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The most eye-catching maneuver is that astronauts will conduct a space walk.

Engineers have developed airlock module to go with the aircraft. Although details of how astronauts will walk out of the module have not been made public yet, experts reveal that dozens of contingency plans have been designed to ensure smooth walk.

Zhang Bonan, chief designer of Shenzhou-VII Spacecraft, said, "We've prepared more than 30 sets of plans to ensure the design quality of the product, meet the requirements for astronauts to have a space walk, and solve possible difficulties during the space walk activity."

The Shenzhou-Seven mission will be the first flight in China's second phase of its manned space program. Scientists plan to establish a space station as their next step.

Editor:Zhang Ning