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Shenzhou 7
Part of Shenzhou
Shenzhou 7
Shenzhou 7
Credit: © Junior Miranda
First Chinese EVA. First Chinese three-crew spaceflight. Third Chinese manned space mission. The Shenzhou was flown with the full complement of three crew and astronaut Zhai conducted China's first spacewalk.

Launched: 2008-09-25. Returned: 2008-09-28. Number crew: 3 . Duration: 2.85 days.

Third Chinese manned space mission. The Shenzhou was flown with the full complement of three crew and astronaut Zhai conducted China's first spacewalk.

The crew consisted of Zhai Zhigang, backup astronaut for China's first manned space mission; and Liu Buoming and Jing Haipeng, backups for the second mission. The astronauts demonstrated the capability of the Shenzhou spacecraft to carry its full complement of three crew for the first time. Zhai, wearing a Chinese-developed Feitian space suit, emerged from the orbital module of the Shenzhou and became China's first astronaut to conduct a spacewalk. Liu, wearing a proven Russian Orlan spacesuit, remained in the depressurized orbital module, ready to assist Zhai in an emergency. Jing remained in the pressurized re-entry capsule of the Shenzhou, wearing a Chinese derivative of the Russian Sokol spacesuit. The spacewalk was completed precisely in the planned 20-minute duration while Shenzhou 7 passed over Chinese territory.

In April 2004 China purchased from Russia nine Orlan suits, including three flight suits, four training suits for use in a neutral-buoyancy water training pool, and two low-pressure training suits. The Feitian suit had been under development for many years, but seems to have incorporated many design features from the Orlan suit.

The Shenzhou orbital module differed from earlier missions in having its solar panels, 16 thrusters, and all other sub-systems used for independent flight removed. Additions for the EVA role included five gas bottles, two external cameras, handrails, and a space exposure experiment that was retrieved by Zhai.

In addition, a subsatellite, weighing 40 kg, and with diameter of 40 cm, was mounted at the top of the orbital module. Released after the EVA, it relayed back images of Shenzhou 7 from close range, then backed to a distance of several kilometers, testing network technology with the Shenzhou and the orbital module after the deorbit of Shenzhou 7.

The crew returned safely to earth in a pinpoint landing in Outer Mongolia carried live on television.


More at: Shenzhou 7.

Family: Manned spaceflight. People: Jing Haipeng, Liu Buoming, Zhai Zhigang. Country: China. Spacecraft: Shenzhou. Launch Sites: Jiuquan.
Photo Gallery

Shenzhou 7Shenzhou 7
Credit: © Junior Miranda


Shenzhou 7Shenzhou 7
Credit: © Junior Miranda


Shenzhou 7Shenzhou 7
Credit: © Junior Miranda


Shenzhou 7Shenzhou 7
Credit: © Junior Miranda


Shenzhou 7Shenzhou 7
Credit: © Junior Miranda


Shenzhou 7Shenzhou 7
Credit: © Junior Miranda



2008 September 25 - . 13:10 GMT - . Launch Site: Jiuquan. Launch Complex: Jiuquan SLS. LV Family: CZ. Launch Vehicle: Chang Zheng 2F.
2008 September 27 - .

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