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Shenzhou 7

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description Shenzhou 7 Overview

Shenzhou 7 was a Chinese crewed spaceflight launched in September 2008 as part of the Shenzhou program. Its three-person crew consisted of Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming, and Jing Haipeng, and Zhai performed China's first extravehicular activity while Liu assisted from the orbital module. The mission demonstrated spacesuit, airlock, and spacewalking capabilities needed for China's later human-spaceflight activities.

help Shenzhou 7 FAQ

Who were the crew members of Shenzhou 7?

Shenzhou 7 carried a three-person crew consisting of Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming, and Jing Haipeng. Zhai Zhigang served as commander and performed China's first spacewalk, while Liu Boming assisted from the orbital module during the extravehicular activity.

When did China perform its first spacewalk?

China's first extravehicular activity was performed by Zhai Zhigang on September 27, 2008, during the Shenzhou 7 mission. This made China the third country to independently conduct a spacewalk after the Soviet Union and the United States.

How long did the Shenzhou 7 mission last?

The Shenzhou 7 mission lasted approximately three days, launching on September 25, 2008, and landing on September 28, 2008. It was a relatively short mission focused specifically on achieving the EVA objective.

Why was Shenzhou 7 important for China's space program?

Shenzhou 7 demonstrated China's ability to perform extravehicular activity, a critical capability for future space station construction. The successful spacewalk was a prerequisite for the Tiangong space station program that China developed in subsequent years.

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