Shenzhou VII transported to launch site

WATCH VIDEO

Source: CCTV.com | 09-21-2008 09:38

The Shenzhou 7 spaceship has been transported to the Jiuquan launching pad in northwest China's Gansu Province. This means China's third manned space flight is now in its final stage of preparation. Engineers say if the fine weather continues, Shenzhou 7 can expect to blast off late next week.

The Shenzhou-7 manned spaceship, the Long-March II-F  rocket and the escape tower are vertically transferred to the launch pad at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in  northwest China's Gansu Province Sept. 20, 2008. The transfer finished t 3:15 p.m.on Saturday, marking the final stage of the launching preparation.(Xinhua Photo)

The Shenzhou 7 rocket was transported in an upright position bundled together with the manned spacecraft, the escape tower and the Long March propelling rocket.

This combined structure moved along a 1500-meter-long rail, at a precise speed of 28 meters per minute.

Accompanying engineers also kept a close eye on wind-speed, just in case wind-velocity exceeded 10 meters per second. They were careful to make 2 stops, just to check the state of the equipment.

Zhang Jianqi, Director of China's manned space program said "Transportation causes vibrations. And if the frequency of the vehicle's vibration matches that of the rocket's, this can damage parts of the spacecraft. We must make sure that doesn't happen. "

The whole process took just over an hour. Now firmly positioned in its launching pad, Shenzhou VII is all set to take off with three astronauts on board next week. One of them is scheduled to take a walk in outer space.