Shenzhou-7 Lifts Off
Published on Sep 25, 2008 at 2:31 pm.
2 Comments.
Filed under space exploration.
This morning, at 8:10 am Central Daylight Time, 13:10 UT, China’s Shenzhou-7 mission lifted off from its Gansu Province Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center launch pad atop a Long March 2 rocket. Aboard the spacecraft were three taikonauts: Liu Boming, Jeng Haipeng, and Zhai Zhigang (commander). This is China’s first three man crew. Scheduled for this mission is another first for China: the first extravehicular activity (spacewalk) conducted by a Chinese taikonaut. Reportedly, spacesuits have been specially designed for the spacewalk. The taikonaut will be tethered to the spacecraft during the EVA. The tether will provide air and communication for the taikonaut while outside of the spacecraft.
For decades, only the United States and the Soviet Union (later Russia) have had the capability of launching manned missions into space. This is slowly changing as China has been slowly and methodically developing their space program and other nations have plans to eventually develop manned spaceflight. This marks progress of mankind march towards a spacefaring society. I am glad to see more nations moving into space.
-Astroprof
Photo Credit: Xinhou
justcorbly on September 25, 2008 at 5:14 pm: 1
Why’s the guy in the center got his knnes scrunched up? Is this a launch photo or something taken earlier?
Quibble: Europe, if it turned its mind and its purse to it, certainly has the capability to launch manned vehicles into orbit. Japan, too, for that matter. India, as well. Capability for crewed spaceflight isn’t always in synch with the motivation.
NageswaranG on September 26, 2008 at 9:14 am: 2
The blood circul;ation system will be affected and to minimis the impact this posture is required ok