Facts and Figures: Shenzhou-7 spacecraft

Source: Xinhua | 09-25-2008 20:39

BEIJING, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Following are some facts and figures about Shenzhou-7, China's third manned spacecraft, which will be put to orbit on Thursday.

3 passengers

-- The Shenzhou (Divine Vessel) Seven carries Chinese astronauts, Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng. The trio, all born in 1966, joined into China's manned space program in 1998. The highlight of their mission is a spacewalk.

3 days

-- The spacecraft, which consists of the orbital module, re-entry module and propelling module, is designed for a voyage of up to five days. But the Shenzhou-7 mission will only last about three days.

8 systems

-- Scientists, engineers and other staff working for the mission are grouped into eight different systems -- astronauts system, space application system, manned spacecraft system, rocket system, launch pad system, remote control and communications system, landing system and space laboratory system.

30 minutes

-- An astronauts will carry out a 30-minute extravehicular activity (EVA), but it takes nearly 15 hours to assemble and put on the EVA suit. The EVA task includes retrieving a three-kilogram solid lubricant experiment device placed at the exterior of the spacecraft module.