Taikonaut to take China´s first step in space

Source: Xinhua | 09-25-2008 12:44

JIUQUAN, Gansu, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- A taikonaut will take the first-ever step of the Chinese nation in space on Friday when he floats out of the Shenzhou-7 spacecraft.

Chinese taikonauts (Front,L-R) Jing Haipeng, Zhai Zhigang and Liu Boming attend a departure ceremony in Beijing,  Sept. 24, 2008. The Shenzhou-7 spaceship will carry the  three taikonauts, all aged 42, for China's third manne space mission that will include the country's first-ever space walk.(Xinhua Photo)

"We have confidence, determination and ability to make the nation's first step in outerspace," said Jing Haipeng, one of the three taikonauts for the third manned mission of China, at a press conference on Wednesday.

HEROES WALK OUT

China will launch the spacecraft Shenzhou-7 at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest Gansu province on Thursday.

The spacecraft, carrying taikonauts Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng, all aged 42, was to blast off between 9:07 p.m. to 10:27 p.m. (Beijing Time) Thursday, according to Wang Zhaoyao, spokesperson with the manned space program.

One of the major tasks of the mission would be extravehicular activity (EVA), the first of its kind attempted by Chinese astronauts, said Wang, also deputy director of China's manned space program office.

The success of the task will mark a remarkable step in space exploration for China, whose long-term target is to eventually setup a space station.

"One taikonaut will get out of the cabin and take back the test samples loaded outside the module," Wang said.

The trio taikonauts met the press Wednesday afternoon at the launch center, a day before their flight.

"The Shenzhou-7 mission marks a historic breakthrough in China's manned space program. It is a great honor for all three of us to fly the mission, and we are fully prepared for the challenge," Zhai Zhigang told the press conference.

According to Liu Boming, only one taikonaut will perform the space walk assisted by another in the orbit module. The rest one will remain in the re-entry module during the whole process of the space walk.

Liu said 10 years of working, studying and training together has contributed to the smooth cooperation among the trio.

"We will support and cooperate with each other during the mission to make sure it ends with a success," he said.

The trio were chosen from the first group of 14 Chinese astronauts selected in 1998 based on their physical and psychological conditions as well as their technical skills, according to Zhang Jianqi, deputy chief commander of the Shenzhou-7 mission.

"All the 14 taikonauts were graded on a daily basis on every single movement during their training," said Zhang.

The press conference did not reveal which two of the three-man crew would carry out the country's first extravehicular activities.