posted March 05, 2006 09:59 AM
China will delay the launch of its third manned space mission Shenzhou VII for about six months to 2008 Chinese Xinhua news agency has said.
The agency said that engineers needed more time for work on spacesuits for the EVAs by taikonauts on the Shenzhou VII spacecraft.
John K. Rochester Member
Posts: 1263 From: Rochester, NY, USA Registered: Mar 2002
posted January 08, 2008 11:55 PM
CNN indicates that the Chinese are planning a three man mission, including a spacewalk for this year to possibly coincide with the Bejing Olympics...
cspg Member
Posts: 3315 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006
posted January 09, 2008 12:00 AM
Likely to take place after the Olympics, just in case something goes wrong with the flight.
Chris.
paul prendergast Member
Posts: 428 From: crawley west sussex UK Registered: Apr 2004
posted May 11, 2008 10:45 AM
Does anyone know when they now plan to fly?
cspg Member
Posts: 3315 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006
posted May 11, 2008 11:59 PM
Planned for this autumn (September/October?). See this article.
Chris.
Ryan Walters Member
Posts: 75 From: Hattiesburg, MS, USA Registered: Apr 2005
posted June 27, 2008 10:45 AM
I'm not sure if anyone saw this or not.
China's next spacecraft, Shenzhou 7, will launch three astronauts for a five-day travel in space and one of them will carry out the nation's first spacewalk mission in 2008.
Three astronauts will go into space and two of them are expected to make space walks, Huang was quoted as saying. He said no decision had been made on how long the walks would be.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 23493 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted September 02, 2008 01:10 PM
Leonard David with SPACE.com blogs:
According to ShanghaiDaily.com – citing a Guangzhou-based newspaper account — liftoff of China’s third piloted space mission has been moved ahead to the end of this month.
The news piece explains that the Yangcheng Evening News is reporting that the three-person Shenzhou 7 mission is now expected to take place before October 1.
Also, the story notes that Shenzhou 7 will dispatch a small inspection satellite to survey the scene as the piloted spacecraft spins around the Earth.
According to a report by Hong Kong newspaper Wen Wei Po, without quoting any Chinese space authorities, the Shenzhou 7 is to head spaceward sometime between September 17 and October 1.
Update: Leonard David updated his blog noting contradictory reports:
Then there was an update from China Daily. They indicate that a source on the Shenzhou program says the report of an earlier than October launch was “not reliable.”
Then there’s the report from Danwei, a Hong Kong news outlet that points to a report in the Shanghai-based Oriental Morning Post that refutes stories of a Shenzhou 7 departure this month.
LCDR Scott Schneeweis Member
Posts: 1620 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
China has chosen Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng as the astronauts to carry out its third manned space mission later this month.
Chinese media reported recently that Zhai Zhigang is expected to conduct the spacewalk during the flight. Liu Boming will be the first substitute for the spacewalk.
Zhai Zhigang, 42, is from northeastern China's Heilongjiang Province. He joined the Chinese air force in 1985.
From left to right: Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng
capoetc Member
Posts: 1520 From: Newnan GA (USA) Registered: Aug 2005
posted September 16, 2008 04:45 AM
Are those guys from Texas? I just figured by the belt buckles...
------------------ John Capobianco Camden DE
KSCartist Member
Posts: 2300 From: Titusville, FL USA Registered: Feb 2005
posted September 16, 2008 07:38 AM
No John- that's the Chinese rodeo. Them boys rassle Yaks and can hawg-tie 'em in 30 seconds. I'm not sure of the Chinese for "Yippie kaye!"
Is that the Shenzhou 6 patch they're wearing?
Tim
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 23493 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted September 16, 2008 08:19 AM
quote:Originally posted by KSCartist: Is that the Shenzhou 6 patch they're wearing?
Yes, but that is because the photographs are from 2005.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 23493 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted September 18, 2008 08:45 AM
Shenzhou VII launch viewing tickets are now on sale, reports Shanghai Daily.
Space travel fans who want to see the launch of China's Shenzhou VII shuttle at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center later this month will have to pay 15,000 yuan (US$2,206) for the experience.
The cost includes an air ticket to Jiuquan in northwestern China's Gansu Province and a four-day stay, the Wenhui Daily reported yesterday.
But even if fans can afford the price they will still struggle to get a ticket because there are very few available. People who want to buy these have to provide their ID and a reference from their employers.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 23493 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted September 18, 2008 04:57 PM
Chinese animation of the Shenzhou VII mission:
SPACEFACTS Member
Posts: 133 From: Germany Registered: Aug 2006
posted September 19, 2008 08:13 AM
Is the site "Go! Taikonauts" no longer updated?
SpaceCadet83 Member
Posts: 38 From: Enid, OK, United States Registered: Oct 2007
posted September 19, 2008 08:28 PM
Awesome video, Robert! Thanks for posting it! - Mike
SPACEFACTS Member
Posts: 133 From: Germany Registered: Aug 2006
posted September 20, 2008 08:31 AM
An unsharp photo of the prime and backup crew (captured from a Chinese video).
Rex Hall Member
Posts: 170 From: London, England Registered: Oct 2001
posted September 20, 2008 10:30 AM
The picture just posted is one of the Shenzhou VI 3 crews. It is being recycled a lot recently.
Rex
b55er Member
Posts: 30 From: Santa Cruz, CA Registered: Jun 2007
posted September 23, 2008 12:36 AM
Ready for launch...
The chief engineer of the Shenzhou-7 spacecraft launch said the ground work for the mission has been completed and the team was confident of a successful lift-off.
A total of 6,000 staff on the ground team had spent months improving infrastructure and testing the functions of computers and software, said Cui Jijun, commander-in-chief of the ground operation team.
Rare undated photos...
b55er Member
Posts: 30 From: Santa Cruz, CA Registered: Jun 2007
posted September 23, 2008 12:43 AM
Does anyone know of any internet streaming planned for the launch?
lucspace Member
Posts: 224 From: Hilversum, The Netherlands Registered: Oct 2003
posted September 23, 2008 08:23 AM
I created this art of the Shenzhou 7 EVA, as I expect it to look from the small sub-satellite, based on photographic materials. It may be that the brownish 'box' at the front of the spacecraft is the satellite in question, but this still represents a faithful rendition I think.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 23493 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted September 23, 2008 02:12 PM
quote:Originally posted by b55er: Does anyone know of any internet streaming planned for the launch?
Though they have not specifically said they will be broadcasting the launch, CCTV International has a live feed available on their website and is now promoting:
From September 25th to 30th, the website will feature China's first-ever spacewalk and many interactive activities.
Posts: 23493 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted September 24, 2008 03:56 AM
quote:Originally posted by MSS: Launch is planned on September 25th at 13:10 UTC or 09:10 a.m. EDT
Per Chinese news reports this morning, the launch will now fall between 13:07 UTC (9:07 a.m. EDT) and 14:27 UTC (10:27 a.m. EDT) on September 25.
spaceman1953 Member
Posts: 840 From: South Bend, IN United States of America Registered: Apr 2002
posted September 24, 2008 11:38 PM
I am so surprised, and us space buffs are so very lucky that China is being so open with their coverage of their space activities.
It is going to be very good waking up in a few hours to the news of a successful launch!
Posts: 23493 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted September 25, 2008 08:20 AM
Click to enlarge.
China's manned spacecraft Shenzhou-7 blasts off on space walk mission (Xinhua)
China launched its third manned spacecraft on Thursday with three astronauts on board to attempt the country's first-ever space walk.
The spaceship Shenzhou-7 blasted off on a Long March II-F carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the northwestern Gansu Province at 9:10 p.m. after a breathtaking countdown to another milestone on China's space journey.
Onboard pilots Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng are expected to orbit the earth for 4 days, when one of them will float out of the cabin about 343 kilometers above the earth.
mark plas Member
Posts: 337 From: the Netherlands Registered: Aug 2000
posted September 25, 2008 08:29 AM
It reminds me of a picture of the Apollo 17 launch.
mmmoo Member
Posts: 395 From: London, England Registered: May 2001
posted September 25, 2008 08:29 AM
Live stream in English for mission coverage from CCTV.
Posts: 2223 From: Paris, France Registered: Aug 2003
posted September 25, 2008 09:09 AM
Any idea where to look for visible pass info? It'd be nice to spot the spacecraft going overhead.
jasonelam Member
Posts: 353 From: Monticello, KY USA Registered: Mar 2007
posted September 25, 2008 09:46 AM
I watched the launch on both the live internet stream on CCTV's website and on the Spanish CCTV on Dish Network. Very interesting coverage!
The Spanish CCTV channel introduced their launch coverage kind of like our TV stations used to do with launches. Graphics were actually pretty realistic, and the music was from the end of "E.T.", but very appropriate.
The internet stream was wonderful to watch, especially since it was in english!
The animation of the events that was shown on the screen in mission control seemed like it was from the "Orbiter" space simulation, though it probably wasn't.
Philip Member
Posts: 4495 From: Brussels, BELGIUM Registered: Jan 2001
posted September 25, 2008 11:11 AM
To me it looks like they have much more space in the capsule than in a regular Soyuz where the cosmonauts are packed tighter together.
They might be using a different version of the "Kazbek" Soyuz seat for which each cosmonaut gets his/her fitted liner?
What's your opinion?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 23493 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted September 25, 2008 11:28 AM
quote:Originally posted by Philip: To me it looks like they have much more space in the capsule...
If I recall correctly, when the Shenzhou was first unveiled, Chinese officials said it was designed to seat up to five taikonauts, though three-member crews were the nominal mission contingent.
Philip Member
Posts: 4495 From: Brussels, BELGIUM Registered: Jan 2001
posted September 25, 2008 12:41 PM
That's really amazing Robert!
So after 33 years of spaceflight/astronomy enthusiasm I can still learn things... on the other side these Chinese Taikonauts are of course a bit smaller than Caucasian persons.
E2M Lem Man Member
Posts: 757 From: Los Angeles CA. USA Registered: Jan 2005
posted September 25, 2008 01:56 PM
We all wish the Chinese mission well. This is quite a fete for only their third outing into orbit. The Soviet Union did a three man flight on their seventh and a walk on their eighth.
The U.S. did Ed White's EVA on the eighth mission and a three man flight on Apollo 7, the 17th American mission.
It is a shame that Alexei Leonov can't be visiting in the control center as he is so ill.
It might not be politically correct but - Ding How! (Can do!)
Welcome to the neighborhood!
J.M. Busby
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 23493 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted September 25, 2008 08:08 PM
From Xinhua, details about the Shenzhou VII crew's food choices:
Nutritionists and cooks have prepared 80 foods, from Kung Pao Chicken and deshelled shrimp to frozen dry fruits, for the trio of Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng, according to Chen Bin, who is in charge of food supply to the astronauts.
For vinegar-loving Jing, the seasoning is well at hand, as various seasoning sauces are provided on board. The astronaut is from northern Shanxi Province, where vinegar is a favorite condiment for locals.
The food heater on board has a stronger electricity supply than that on Shenzhou-6 as it is connected to the main power supply, which will make sure their rice can be fully cooked, Chen said.
The foods are kept in retort pouches. "We have tried to make them taste like stir-fried dishes they have on the earth," Chen said.
Also of related note, this is the first Shenzhou with a toilet:
No toilet was on board of the previous two manned spaceships. The men had to wear diapers.
But this time a toilet is set up. The toilet seat is tailor-made to astronauts' figure and it also includes a separate urinal.
hlbjr Member
Posts: 279 From: Delray Beach Florida USA Registered: Mar 2006
posted September 26, 2008 06:25 AM
This is a bit disturbing... apparently this article was posted by the official Chinese news agency Xinhua reporting on the success of the mission (including quotes by the taikonauts and mission control) before the mission even launched!!! For me this really calls into question the accuracy of some of what we're being told.
A news story describing a successful launch of China's long-awaited space mission and including detailed dialogue between astronauts launched on the Internet Thursday, hours before the rocket had even left the ground.
The country's official news agency Xinhua posted the article on its Web site Thursday, and remained there for much of the day before it was taken down.
A staffer from the Xinhuanet.com Web site who answered the phone Thursday said the posting of the article was a "technical error" by a technician. The staffer refused to give his name as is common among Chinese officials.
Harvey Brown Delray Beach, FL
jimsz Member
Posts: 493 From: Registered: Aug 2006
posted September 26, 2008 06:30 AM
quote:Originally posted by hlbjr: For me this really calls into question the accuracy of some of what we're being told.
I just read that story earlier today, it's a bit strange and certainly cause one to question everything about their program.
issman1 Member
Posts: 790 From: UK Registered: Apr 2005
posted September 26, 2008 07:13 AM
Fox News infers the mission is being faked. I wouldn't believe anything Fox says anyway. I'm glad Shenzhou 7 is up there but sad it is not going to the ISS. I feel any manned spacecraft should be utilised as a crew transport to and from the ISS.
Is it possible to see Shenzhou 7 from England during the flight?
posted March 05, 2006 09:59 AM
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