Shenzhou 7 planned launch September 25th

zhang · Sep 27, 2008

Hatch opened!

zhang · Sep 27, 2008

Zhi is about to egress

zhang · Sep 27, 2008

Zhi egress and wave a Chinese flag.

zhang · Sep 27, 2008

Exposed material samples retrieved, Zhi is about to ingress.

zhang · Sep 27, 2008

Ingress and hatch closed.

JonClarke · Sep 27, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Ingress and hatch closed. Posted by zhang</DIV>Short and sweet - well done everyone!Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars Arthur Clarke </div>

zhang · Sep 27, 2008

Surprised me there is a large white umbilical connection between EVA suit and OM!

MarkStanaway · Sep 27, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Surprised me there is a large white umbilical connection between EVA suit and OM! Posted by zhang</DIV>Looks like Michelin Man! Wow that suit is really pumped upCongratulations Zhai <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

Huntster · Sep 27, 2008

I'm wondering what became of that mini-satellite they were supposed to launch. Wasn't it intended for release during the EVA, or was it to be released sometime after? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

zhang · Sep 27, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>I'm wondering what became of that mini-satellite they were supposed to launch. Wasn't it intended for release during the EVA, or was it to be released sometime after? Posted by Huntster</DIV> The Subsat is not set to released within EVA, It will be released in 1-2 hours.

3488 · Sep 27, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Taking a deep long breath will surely relax you. Try it! ;-) On a more constructive note, I noticed someone here said they were called "Taikongnauts"...I looked it up, and it seems "space" in chinese does equal "Taikong", but I personally prefer Taikonauts...then I can call them the cooler name "Taikos" - sounds more like a space video game

Posted by asj2006</DIV>asj2006,Have you ever been to China? IOf so have you ever seen the REAL China, away from the tourist areas?I have, my wife is Chinese, from Zhanjiang City in Guangdong Province, approx two thirds of the way from Hong Kong to the border with Vietnam, just north of the large tropical island of Hainan.What you have been posting is urtter nonsense. Jon Clark is correct, the Chinese Government is NOT as invasive as many think & are actually highly approachable & appreciative of people taking their own initiative.True there is censoring of certain web sites, media & what can be said, but on the other hand China is not isolationist, people are generally very well educated & has a good handle on what is happening in the world at large. If you break the law, then yes, life can be hard for the perertrator, that's true, but if you keep within the law, you are left alone & enjoy a surprising amount of freedom. People are not stopped in the street without good reason. China is changing rapidly, of that there is no doubt. But your ascertations that the Chinese are sheeple that are fed everything by the state controlled media is utter nonsense. I took loads of photographs, many in plain sight of the police, (I made no attempt to hide the fact I was taking photos) not once was I approached or asked to not take pictures. But then i was sensible & did not flast my camera around at airports or installations, common sense is what's required. You know what, I felt safer & free'er in many respects in China than in some parts of my home country the UK.  I had to step in & not just allow your ridiculous comments go unchallenged. You stay within the law in China, you'll be surprised at how free you are. I was well surprised, I had my camera gear with me everywhere & not once was I approached or challenged.Andrew Brown.  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

3488 · Sep 27, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'> The Subsat is not set to released within EVA, It will be released in 1-2 hours. Posted by zhang</DIV>Hi zhang, great reporting on the proceedings there. Looks like everything worked flawlessly. I thought it would, China are getting very good at this & yes, already I think the Chinese must be taken seriously about the lunar ambitions. The bottom line is that they can do it & the world knows they can. It is going to be a matter of time whilst they build up the capability of longer term human spaceflight, which by this mission, proves they are making excellent progress. I assume you are Chinese?Andrew Brown.  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

asj2006 · Sep 27, 2008

Well, looks like everything went smoothly...congrats...http://www.danwei.org/featured_video/zhai_zhigang_waves_the_flag_in.phpThat is one bulky space suit btw.... Ok, now  hopefully we get bigger things in the years to come after this first test of the waters....    <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ------------------------------------------- "Breathe. This is like most of the choices you have in life. You know inside whether it's right. Whether you do it is up to you." From the Tao of Willie Nelson </div>

MeteorWayne · Sep 27, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Well, looks like everything went smoothly...congrats...http://www.danwei.org/featured_video/zhai_zhigang_waves_the_flag_in.phpThat is one bulky space suit btw.... Ok, now  hopefully we get bigger things in the years to come after this first test of the waters....    Posted by asj2006</DIV> Congrats to the Chinese Taikonauts. It's a great second step in manned spaceflight. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

asj2006 · Sep 27, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>asj2006,Have you ever been to China? IOf so have you ever seen the REAL China, away from the tourist areas? I had to step in & not just allow your ridiculous comments go unchallenged. You stay within the law in China, you'll be surprised at how free you are. I was well surprised, I had my camera gear with me everywhere & not once was I approached or challenged.Andrew Brown.  Posted by 3488</DIV>Dude, you must be mistaking my name for someone else since i never said those things...go back and check the posts again.....in fact, i don't believe anyone here said those things as far as I remember.... And yes, I've been to China several times, although only in Beijing.   <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ------------------------------------------- "Breathe. This is like most of the choices you have in life. You know inside whether it's right. Whether you do it is up to you." From the Tao of Willie Nelson </div>

asj2006 · Sep 27, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Congrats to the Chinese Taikonauts. It's a great second step in manned spaceflight. Posted by MeteorWayne</DIV>I'm hoping they go from this directly to the moon...just like China mostly skipped land based phone infrastructures, and directly to wireless....maybe that'll get NASA going.... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ------------------------------------------- "Breathe. This is like most of the choices you have in life. You know inside whether it's right. Whether you do it is up to you." From the Tao of Willie Nelson </div>

asj2006 · Sep 27, 2008

Looks like the satellite was launched that will take pics of the spacecraft....hopefully, we get to see some soon

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-09/27/content_7066971.htmOn a separate note, that's one good looking woman on the ad "Find Your Russian Beauty Today" to the right of the article (you might have to refresh your browser a couple times since the ads rotate)  ;-)   <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ------------------------------------------- "Breathe. This is like most of the choices you have in life. You know inside whether it's right. Whether you do it is up to you." From the Tao of Willie Nelson </div>

MeteorWayne · Sep 27, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Dude, you must be mistaking my name for someone else since i never said those things...go back and check the posts again.....in fact, i don't believe anyone here said those things as far as I remember.... And yes, I've been to China several times, although only in Beijing.   Posted by asj2006</DIV> He might have been upset with me, though I don't think I said anything out of line.I just stated the fact that the Government news agency had released a fabricated report, which I stand by.That is a sens a side issue for this thread (so far anyway) so if anyone wishes to pursue it, I'll start another thread so as not to derail this one.  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

Joshua_N · Sep 27, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>He might have been upset with me, though I don't think I said anything out of line.I just stated the fact that the Government news agency had released a fabricated report, which I stand by.That is a sens a side issue for this thread (so far anyway) so if anyone wishes to pursue it, I'll start another thread so as not to derail this one.  Posted by MeteorWayne</DIV>I agree. I feel no need to defend China but it is REALLY REALLY bloody annoying to hear the same  old bad China this, evil China that. All I want to do is watch the bloody Olympics or whatever without any political-turd in my punchbowl. Please let this thread be about the Shenzhou-7 mission, not the various alleged evils of China.

asj2006 · Sep 27, 2008

Was there or wasn't there a fire onboard?http://www.redorbit.com/news/space/1570125/china_says_false_fire_alarm_aboard_spaceship_due_to_sensor/Also, it looks like the bulky suit made even opening the hatch a strenuous affair. Wheezing was heard while the hatch was being opened.Btw, wasn't there supposed to be pics of the entire spacecraft from the released satellite? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ------------------------------------------- "Breathe. This is like most of the choices you have in life. You know inside whether it's right. Whether you do it is up to you." From the Tao of Willie Nelson </div>

asj2006 · Sep 27, 2008

Nice song that fits the really excellent animation....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKXH_NBkRosAnd I'm still waiting for pics from the satellite that was supposed to have been released...it is said to be a complex procedure so something might have gone wrong...and if they did manage to get video, i hope no moron starts adding fireworks to the thing ;-) http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90881/6507828.htmlThe satellite, less than 40 kilograms in weight, will orbit the orbital module and send back the spaceship's first full video images. It is equipped with two cameras that can capture clear images in a distance between four meters and two km, according to Shen Xuemin, deputy director of the Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, developer of the satellite. The accompanying satellite will observe and assist the main spaceship and work for communication, scientific experiment, earth and astronomy observation, he said. "The task will test our ability to observe and control two objects in relative motion in space. Through this, we will prepare for the future orbiter docking," said Zhao Guangheng, deputy chief designer of the country's manned space program's space application system. China will seek a breakthrough in the orbiter docking technology in its next manned spaceship Shenzhou-8, a step for the ultimate goal of building a permanent space laboratory. Although China has managed to launch more than one satellites with one carrier rocket, it was the first time to monitor and control a satellite launched from a spaceship, said Lu Lichang, a designer of the program's remote control and communication system. "To make sure the accompanying satellite orbits around the moving spaceship, we need to accurately monitor both the objects. It is quite difficult to work out control parameters of its motion," he said. In addition, as the satellite is moving in a near-earth orbit, the control work is more vulnerable to atmosphere changes, he said. Two possible accidents might occur. The small satellite may fail to function or move away from the planned track. "We have contingency plans," he said.       <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ------------------------------------------- "Breathe. This is like most of the choices you have in life. You know inside whether it's right. Whether you do it is up to you." From the Tao of Willie Nelson </div>

mopy · Sep 27, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Nice song that fits the really excellent animation....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKXH_NBkRosAnd I'm still waiting for pics from the satellite that was supposed to have been released...it is said to be a complex procedure so something might have gone wrong...and if they did manage to get video, i hope no moron starts adding fireworks to the thing ;-) http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90881/6507828.htmlThe satellite, less than 40 kilograms in weight, will orbit the orbital module and send back the spaceship's first full video images. It is equipped with two cameras that can capture clear images in a distance between four meters and two km, according to Shen Xuemin, deputy director of the Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, developer of the satellite. The accompanying satellite will observe and assist the main spaceship and work for communication, scientific experiment, earth and astronomy observation, he said. "The task will test our ability to observe and control two objects in relative motion in space. Through this, we will prepare for the future orbiter docking," said Zhao Guangheng, deputy chief designer of the country's manned space program's space application system. China will seek a breakthrough in the orbiter docking technology in its next manned spaceship Shenzhou-8, a step for the ultimate goal of building a permanent space laboratory. Although China has managed to launch more than one satellites with one carrier rocket, it was the first time to monitor and control a satellite launched from a spaceship, said Lu Lichang, a designer of the program's remote control and communication system. "To make sure the accompanying satellite orbits around the moving spaceship, we need to accurately monitor both the objects. It is quite difficult to work out control parameters of its motion," he said. In addition, as the satellite is moving in a near-earth orbit, the control work is more vulnerable to atmosphere changes, he said. Two possible accidents might occur. The small satellite may fail to function or move away from the planned track. "We have contingency plans," he said.       Posted by asj2006</DIV> Pics from the small monitoring satellite can be found here: not great quality and in black and white http://www.cctv.com/english/20080927/108554.shtml But clearly shot from a distance...

asj2006 · Sep 27, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'> Pics from the small monitoring satellite can be found here: not great quality and in black and white http://www.cctv.com/english/20080927/108554.shtmlBut clearly shot from a distance... Posted by mopy</DIV>Very cool, thank you, although it's too bad it's not using a color camera....looks like that microsatellite will be kept near the remaining spacecraft when the re-entry module leaves. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ------------------------------------------- "Breathe. This is like most of the choices you have in life. You know inside whether it's right. Whether you do it is up to you." From the Tao of Willie Nelson </div>

JonClarke · Sep 28, 2008

Some details of the next four missions (2010-2012???) have gone up on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shenzhou_8 and associated articles).  It looks like they will be quite an event.   Sz-8 will be an unmanned launch and consist of an 8 tonne mini-space station with two docking ports.  Sz-9 will be an unmanned Sz spacecraft will dock with the complex.  Sz-10 will carry three astronauts who will return on Sz-9.  Sz-10 will remain docked with Sz 8 for the next mission, Sz-11, whose crew will return on Sz-10.  All very interesting and excitingNow comes speculation on my part.  The fact that the mini-station will be flown under the name of Shenshou suggests it is a derivative of that design.  While Shenzhou is not directly derived from Soyuz (it is larger for one thing, and differs in many details), it has a similar configuration and probably coud be adapted in similar ways.In 2001 the late Mircorp released its "mini station 1" concept, which consisted of a heavily modified and lengthened Soyuz instrument block, a new pressurised module instead of the descent block, and a modified orbital block with  two docking ports.  Two Soyuz or Progress could be docked to this at any one time.  It would be a logical layout for Sz 8 to follow, making maximum use of existing Chinese technology.  Scaling the Mircorp idea to Shenzhou would suggest that Sz-8 might have a volume of 20 cubic metres, for a total volume of the complex of 68 cubic metres.There is talk of a 20 tonne station, similar to size the Salyut/Almaz.  But this would require the unbuilt CZ-5 to launch it.  These are supposed to be flown from the facility under construction on Hainan Island, in ~2014.  Presumably a supply version of the Shenzhou, a counterpart to the Progress, could also be developed to support the larger station, but perhaps test flown earlier, perhaps as Sz-12 or 13.Attached is the Mircorp Mini stationJon <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/4/14/1455e812-7fa4-4640-be84-e3a0a77de385.Medium.jpg" alt="" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars Arthur Clarke </div>

asj2006 · Sep 28, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Some details of the next four missions (2010-2012???) have gone up on Wikipedia ().  It looks like they will be quite an event.   Sz-8 will be an unmanned launch and consist of an 8 tonne mini-space station with two docking ports.  Sz-9 will be an unmanned Sz spacecraft will dock with the complex.  Sz-10 will carry three astronauts who will return on Sz-9.  Sz-10 will remain docked with Sz 8 for the next mission, Sz-11, whose crew will return on Sz-10.  All very interesting and excitingNow comes speculation on my part.  The fact that the mini-station will be flown under the name of Shenshou suggests it is a derivative of that design.  While Shenzhou is not directly derived from Soyuz (it is larger for one thing, and differs in many details), it has a similar configuration and probably coud be adapted in similar ways.In 2001 the late Mircorp released its "mini station 1" concept, which consisted of a heavily modified and lengthened Soyuz instrument block, a new pressurised module instead of the descent block, and a modified orbital block with  two docking ports.  Two Soyuz or Progress could be docked to this at any one time.  It would be a logical layout for Sz 8 to follow, making maximum use of existing Chinese technology.  Scaling the Mircorp idea to Shenzhou would suggest that Sz-8 might have a volume of 20 cubic metres, for a total volume of the complex of 68 cubic metres.There is talk of a 20  tonne station, similar to size the Salyut/Almaz.  But this would require the unbuilt CZ-5 to launch it.  These are supposed to be flown from the facility under construction on Hainan Island, in ~2014.  Presumably a supply version of the Shenzhou, a counterpart to the Progress, could also be developed to support the larger station., but pwerhaps test flown earlier.Jon Posted by jonclarke</DIV>I read those too...it looks like the Chinese are methodically going about space exploration.I also pulled this article from google news http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/09/080925-china-space.htmlA Zhang Qingwei states quite clearly that china has been trying to cooperate with the USA on a space station but has been repeatedly rebuffed, and that China would therefore do what it can with or without the US.I am a neophyte at this so forgive any wrong assumptions or conclusions, but I think it is a BIG mistake for NASA not to cooperate with China when given the chance. China is pretty obviously an emerging power with tons of cash and a gung-ho, can-do mentality, while the US is currently running out of cash. In the future, more cooperation is the answer,  not less. There really is no sense in all the duplication of effort that is being done. Some people might say a competitive climate is good for advancement, but look what the former space race did in the long run - some spectacular stuff for PR purposes but then nothing. I'd prefer a methodical careful approach that yields long term advancement. Dammit, we should have Mars bases by now!!!! ;-)       <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ------------------------------------------- "Breathe. This is like most of the choices you have in life. You know inside whether it's right. Whether you do it is up to you." From the Tao of Willie Nelson </div>

Shenzhou 7 planned launch September 25th

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