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The Shenzhou-7 manned spaceship and the Long-March II-F rocket are seen at the assembly workshop at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, Gansu province, in this photo published on Tuesday, September 23, 2008.
Astronaut Zhai Zhigang (L) waves his hand while astronaut Jing Haipeng gets out of the re-entry module and astronaut Liu Boming sits on a chair
after Shenzhou VII landed safely in the Inner Mongolia grassland September 28, 2008.
The emergency rescue ship for "Shenzhou-7" sets out from Shanghai, on Sunday September 21, 2008.
China's latest space mission finishes rehearsal
China's third manned space mission Shenzhou VII finished its last rehearsal before blast-off.
Now the crew, who will conduct the first Chinese spacewalk, is waiting for a launch window at a remote rocket base.
Monday's rehearsal involved scientists from all branches of the space project including the carrier rocket and landing venue.
After three hours of tests and safety examinations in the rehearsal, the mission has been given the green light.
Depending on weather, the launch is scheduled between September 25 and 30 at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern Gansu Province.
According to a report by China Central Television, six astronauts participated the rehearsal.
Three pilots and three substitutes said they were fully confident to successfully accomplish the mission.
A new satellite tracking ship will monitor the space shuttle's progress. The Yuangwang-6 set sail on April 12.
Its sister ship, Yuanwang-5, which was put into use a year ago, will also monitor and control the Shenzhou VII mission.
China has chosen Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng as the astronauts to carry out its third manned space mission later this month.
The home-made spacesuit weighs 120 kilograms and cost about 30 million yuan, or 4.4 million US dollars. The extravehicular spacesuit is now on board the Shenzhou VII at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
Astronauts try the newly-developed space suits for the Shenzhou VII mission in this file photo.
A researcher showcases finger protection equipment designed for astronauts on September 18, 2008.
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Shenzhou VII taikonauts (from left) JingHaipeng, Zhai Zhigang and Liu Boming wave to people at a press conference in Jiuquan, Gansu Province, September 24, 2008.
Chinese astronauts practice manoeuvring in a water tank designed to simulate the low-gravity environment of space.
Engineers inspect the Shenzhou VII spacecraft in a testing facility in Jiuquan, Gansu province, on July 18, 2008.
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China will broadcast live the nation's maiden spacewalk slated for 04:30 p.m. Saturday, according to Wang Zhaoyao, spokesperson with the manned space program.
First Chinese to spacewalk on Friday China daily.com
The first Chinese astronaut is likely to walk in space around 4:30 pm on Friday, a day after spacecraft Shenzhou VII lifts off, the commander-in-chief of the mission's ground operation has said.
- Space Laboratory the Next Target for China Shanghai daily.com
China is expected to launch another three shuttles in 2010 to build a small laboratory in space, a leader of the country's space program has revealed.
- China to set up Shenzhou-7 media center to overseas journalists
Journalists from abroad who hope to cover the launch of China's third manned spacecraft, Shenzhou-7,are welcome to a new purposed-built media center in Beijing which will go into operation on Thursday.
- Meteoric Rise for Space Center Chna daily.com
In October 1958, upon the orders of Chairman Mao Zedong, 100,000 PLA soldiers built China's first space center out on the edge of the Badain Jaran desert of this northwestern province.
- Shenzhou-7 Astronauts to Meet Press on Wednesday CRIENGLISH.COM
The crew of China's Shenzhou-7 space mission is scheduled to meet the press at 17:30 on Wednesday. In addition, the headquarters of China's third manned space mission will hold another press conference at 14:30 Wednesday.
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Experts dismiss concerns over China's manned space program
Chinese space technology experts on Monday dismissed concerns about military purposes of China's manned space program, saying it was aimed at serving China's economic development.
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Optimal conditions set for spacewalk Chinaview.cn
Bringing forward the launch date of China's third manned spacecraft by one month will maximize conditions for the country's highly anticipated inaugural spacewalk, experts have said.
October 8, 1956: The Fifth Academy of the National Defense Ministry -- the country's first rocket research institution – was founded, symbolizing the birth of the Chinese space industry.
July 19, 1964: The first biological rocket was launched, carrying white mice into space.
April 1, 1968: Institute of Space Medico-Engineering was established, initiating the selection and training of astronauts.
April 24, 1970: First artificial Earth satellite -- Dong Fang Hong-1 Satellite -- was launched at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center as China joins the former Soviet Union, America, France and Japan as the fifth country to launch satellites.
November 26, 1975: The launch and recovery of the first recoverable satellite makes China the third country to master this technology.
1979: Yuanwang-1 ocean-going tracking ship was commissioned, making China the fourth country to possess such a vessel.
1985: The Long March rocket series began to initiate commercial launch programs.
1992: The Chinese manned space program was officially adopted.
From 1990 to 2002, China launched four unmanned spaceships (Shenzhou 1 to Shenzhou 4), laying solid foundations for future manned spacecraft.
October 15, 2003: The launch of its first manned aircraft -- Shenzhou 5 -- sent one astronaut into space. The 21-hour flight allowed China to become the third country to independently conduct manned space flights, following the Soviet Union and the United States.
October 12, 2005: Shenzhou 6 manned aircraft was launched, sending two astronauts into space.
October 24, 2007: The first unmanned lunar orbiter -- Chang'e 1-- was launched, making China the fifth country to master this technology.
2009: The first Mars probe is scheduled to be launched in a joint mission with Russia in October 2009.