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Details on China’s next piloted space mission

China’s state-run media unveiled more details on the upcoming Shenzhou 7 mission. A report from Xinhua, the principal Chinese news agency, has confirmed that Shenzhou 7 will launch in October 2008.

Last week China Radio International provided some interesting pieces of information regarding this October’s projected Shenzhou 7 mission. Shenzhou 7 is China’s third human-carrying space trek and will make history by carrying out China’s first spacewalk.

The final crew might be a combination of primes and back-ups. Thus, six taikonauts have been divided into two groups, one group of three will fly the mission, and the other three will be the backup team.

Shenzhou 7 will orbit the Earth for five days, with a one-hour long spacewalk to take place during the flight, as well as the launching of a small satellite. Also, during the trip, the taikonauts will do experiments using new satellite communications technologies.

The spacecraft has been transported to the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Technicians there are busily checking and double-checking the readiness of the craft. Experts have worked out more than 30 emergency plans to ensure the safety of the astronauts.

Regarding the spacewalk, the Shenzhou 7 has been outfitted with two air-lock doors in a special module imbedded between the craft’s return module and its orbital module. According to the radio report, the taikonauts will seal the first door and discharge air pressure in the orbital module. When the air pressure inside and outside that module matches, then the spacewalk can proceed. A reverse procedure will permit a spacewalker to reenter the module.

Chinese space engineers have readied two kinds of spacesuits for the spacewalk. One design is claimed to be locally produced and use China’s own technologies. The other was purchased from Russia and strongly resembles Russian Orlan spacesuits. But the final suit choice will be made by the space program officials as the Shenzhou 7 mission draws closer.

The radio report explained that the upcoming mission will be the first flight of a second phase human space program. The next step for China’s space planners is establishing a space station.

The Xinhua news agency in China reported July 19 that the Long March 2F rocket to be used in the Shenzhou 7 sendoff will be sent to the launch center in a few days. An official with the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) said that the group of 200 launch team members are dedicated to having a safe and successful launch of the Shenzhou 7.