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The Shenzhou VII was launched on Thursday at 9.10pm. (Image: CRI)
Latest world viewpoints
A giant leap for China's space program
"We believe this will further promote China's spaceflight technology and make a contribution to the peaceful use of outer space for humankind." Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao on CRI Nordic
"China has focused on high payoff areas where it can match or exceed the achievements of others. That garners new capabilities while maximising the political impact, something observers sometimes call "techno-nationalism." New Zealand Herald
China sent its third manned spacecraft into space on Thursday evening on a mission which will for the first time include a spacewalk. How will China fare in the race to conquer space?
During the mission, two of the three astronauts on board will dress in spacesuits, but only one will step out of the craft for the 40-minute spacewalk, USA Today reports. The spaceflight is not only historic, but also a hugely risky undertaking for the crew, CRI Nordic underlines. It is also a veritable flying showcase of Chinese inventions and innovations, one of the most important ones being the China-made Feitian spacesuit, which will be tested by one of the astronauts, according to the Washington Post. Also, should it become necessary, the astronauts will have an array of traditional Chinese medicine on hand to help combat motion sickness, stress and fatigue, Xinhua says.
In orbit, a team of Russian technicians will guide the taikonauts during their mission, helping at the same time to foster the potential for further space cooperation between the two countries, the Washington Post writes. Sending a human into orbit represents the "most critical step" for China's space program in achieving its long-term goals of a moon landing and establishing a space station, BBC says. Some, however, fear China's space ambitions could potentially spark a new space arms race, Financial Times says. According to American space expert Joan Johnson-Freese, China has proved it has the technical capability to play a valuable role in a potential international space partnership, CRI Nordic writes. Is China ready for the next step in its quest to conquer space?
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| China | Europe | North-America | From elsewhere |
|---|---|---|---|
| China's 3rd Manned Craft Successfully Launched CRI English - 25th September 2008 China successfully launched its third manned spacecraft on Thursday with three astronauts on board to attempt the country's first-ever space walk. Shenzhou-7 Mission to Promote Peaceful Use of Outer Space: Chinese FM CRI Nordic - 25th September 2008 The launch of China's third manned spacecraft Shenzhou-7 was an important part of China's effort to "explore and make peaceful use of outer space," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said. Taikonauts to take traditional Chinese medicines in Shenzhou-7 spaceflight Xinhua - 25th September 2008 China's Shenzhou-7 astronauts will take traditional Chinese medicine in their spaceflight to treat space motion sickness. Shenzhou-7 Astronauts Face Immense Challenges CRI Nordic - 25th September 2008 Chinese astronauts on board the Shenzhou-7 spacecraft will face immense challenges in their mission. |
China awaits manned spaceflight BBC - 24th September 2008 The Chinese space programme is about to launch its third manned mission. China counts down to Thursday space launch Reuters - 24th September 2008 China will send its third manned mission into space on Thursday evening on a mission which will include its first space walk. China prepares to make space history Radio86 - 25th September 2008 All systems are ready to go for the launch of China's third manned space flight scheduled for Thursday evening. China set for leap into new territory Financial Times - 24th September 2008 Forty years after the era of Soyuz and Apollo, when the US and Russia vied for the technological edge to conquer space, the launch pad is again the site of a struggle but this time it is between the world’s fastest growing countries. |
China plans first spacewalk USA Today - 24th September 2008 From a secretive desert town in China's northwest, the country will launch its third manned spaceflight Thursday. China astronauts blast off, set for country's first spacewalk Scientific Amercican - 25th September 2008 China's Shenzhou 7 spacecraft is in Earth orbit, carrying a three–astronaut crew, one of whom is expected to make that country's first spacewalk this weekend. China launches mission for first spacewalk AP - 25th September 2008 China successfully launched a three-man crew into space Thursday to carry out the country's first spacewalk. Russian technicians to aid China's first spacewalk Washington Post - 24th September 2008 On the eve of its most ambitious manned space mission yet, Chinese officials introduced the three-man crew Wednesday and said Russian technicians will help guide one of them on China's first spacewalk. |
Chinese prepare for space walk The Australian - 24th September 2008 Three Chinese astronauts have made final preparations for a mission that will include the nation's first ever space walk, saying they were confident of handling what will be a difficult but historic voyage. China aims for spacewalk as ship prepares for launch New Zealand Herald - 24th September 2008 China this week launches its most ambitious space mission yet, a sign of rising confidence as Beijing cements its status as a space power and potential future competitor to the United States. Report says China to conduct first spacewalk on Friday afternoon local time Mainichi Daily News, Japan - 24th September 2008 A Chinese astronaut will conduct the country's first spacewalk on Friday afternoon local time. First Chinese Astronaut To Walk In Space On Friday One India - 23rd September 2008 China will send an astronaut into space on Friday to perform spacewalk, a day after spacecraft Shenzhou VII lifts off. |
