China launches Shenzhou-7 spacecraft

[bigworld]

Source: Xinhua

JIUQUAN, Gansu. Sept. 25 (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 fighter pilots Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng are expected to orbit the earth for multiple days, when one of them will float out of the cabin about 343 kilometers above the earth.

If they make it, China will become the third country in the world able to conduct extra-vehicular activity in space following the former Soviet Union and the United States.

Chinese president Hu Jintao watched the historic moment at the launch center, joined by Chinese experts and other work staff.

Read more: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/25/content_10110060.htm

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[derby378]

1. THIRD?!?

I knew they launched a manned Shenzhou craft a few years ago, but I thought that was their only launch to date. Wow.

[Indenturedebtor]

2. Well I hope they didn't bring any milk with them!

Seriously though this is big news. Maybe we could get our shit together again like this supposedly developing country?

[ramapo]

3. Another triumph of American dollars

It has been so nice of us to enable China.

[David__77]

6. The US has profited handsomely from Chinese hard work and innovation.

The average US consumer has benefited from China's development. It has reigned in US inflation and raised our standard of living. China deserves all the development they are experiencing - the result of the Chinese people's persistent efforts.

[The Croquist]

4. News from the future...

China space mission article hits Web before launch
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080925/ap_on_re_as/as_china_space_article_1

BEIJING - 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.

At least we don't have to worry about how the mission is going to go.

[grannie4peace]

5. my ex-brother in law

helped them get their first rocket up.he told one story about them having to duck behind walls when one rocket misfired.