Tue, Jan 08, 2008
Aims To Launch Manned Spacewalk Flight, 17 Satellites
In addition to hosting the 2008
Summer Olympics in Beijing, China also plans to boost its profile
on the global stage this year with an ambitious and unprecedented
effort on the part of its space program, according to state media
reports.
The Associated Press states China aims to launch its third-ever
manned spaceflight, which will include its first spacewalk. Huang
Qiang, secretary general of the Commission of Science Technology
and Industry for National Defense, told Xinhua the country will
also launch 15 rockets, with 17 satellites.
No scheduled date was given for the launch of the three-man
Shenzhou 7 space capsule, though it may come near the August 8
start of the Olympics. While Chinese officials deny an explicit
link between its ambitious space efforts and the country's
first-ever hosting of the worldwide sporting competition, given the
importance of both milestones to the country it's possible the two
events will coincide to some degree.
China's efforts in space will be present at the Olympics in
other ways, as well. Huang told Xinhua nearly 30 new technologies
will be present at the summer games, including a new Olympic torch
and advanced security systems. Weather forecasting services will be
provided by a new satellite, he added.
China is only the third country to send a human into orbit,
accomplishing the feat in 2003. The country followed that effort
with a two-man mission in 2005.
As ANN reported, China also
launched its first Chang'e lunar probe late last year.
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