Monday, September 25, 2017

Shenzhou 7, first Chinese EVA, launched 2008


Shenzhou 7, launched September 25, 2008, was the first mission of the Chinese Space Program to include an EVA.  Just 5 years previous, China successfully sent a man into space aboard their Shenzhou 5, Yang Liwei, in October 2003, making them the third country to enter the space race.

Shenzhou 7 launched with three crew, Commander Zhai Zhigang, Orbital Module Astronaut Liu Boming, and Descent module monitor astronaut Jing Haipeng.

On September 27,  Zhai Zhigang slipped out of the orbital module and into space.  A few minutes later Liu Boming joined him.  Their total space walk lasted about 20 minutes.

The crew returned to Earth landing safely in Inner Mongolia, September 28.


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