Chinesespace planners have outlined the objectives for the next several missions oftheir piloted Shenzhou missions. Next up is Shenzhou 7, China's third human spaceflight that will liftoff in 2008 and include a space walk.
Accordingto a February 24 report in China Daily, Shenzhou 8 is set to showcasethe ability to dock, with that expertise leading to China establishing its ownspace station.
Wangwas quoted as saying that one or two astronauts would walk in space for roughlyone-half hour. Shenzhou 8's mission of docking in space would be launchedaround 2009 to 2011, he noted.
Twoyears later, China's second piloted mission in October 2005 was a two-personflight. The Shenzhou 6 craft carried Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng, stayingaloft for five days.
Utilizedto launch the Shenzhou spacecraft is China's CZ-2F rocket, topped by an escapetower designed to pull the vehicle free in case of a booster problem. That nation'shuman space voyages depart from the sprawling Jiuquan Space Launch Center in northwestern Gansu Province.
China Daily reported last year that work continues onthat nation's Chang'e-1 robotic lunar orbiter intended for launch in 2007.
AChinese automated lunar lander would follow in 2012, with the nation's spaceengineers reportedly targeting 2017 as the time period for a robotic return oflunar samples back to Earth.
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- Special Report: Emerging China, Engaging China
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