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China Astronauts Get Ready for First Spacewalk

Posted Sep 26, 08 10:40 AM CDT in World Technology Science & Health 

(Newser) – China's 3-man spacecraft is now safely in orbit and all systems are go for the nation's first spacewalk tomorrow, reports Reuters. One of the astronauts is set to spend 40 minutes outside the shuttle in a $4.4 million Chinese space suit. Beijing plans to build a permanent space station within the next decade, and could eventually shoot for a moon landing.

"The worst-case scenario for me is becoming a real spaceman, that is, never coming back again once I get out of the spacecraft," said astronaut Zhai Zhigang, who will do the spacewalking honors tomorrow. He added that he's sure his equipment will not fail. The trip is China’s third manned mission into space, improved this time by an onboard toilet. (The last two crews, in 2003 and 2005, used diapers.) 
Source: Reuters

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China's three astronauts, Jing Haipeng, Zhai Zhigang, and Liu Boming watch their flight manuals float in zero gravity.   (AP Photo/CCTV via APTN)
Observers watch the launch of the Shenzhou 7 space craft.   (AP Photo/Color China Photo)
In this video grab taken by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese astronaut Jing Haipeng talks to the command and control center in Shenzhou-7.   (AP Photo)
Chinese astronauts, left to right, Jing Haipeng, Zhai Zhigang and Liu Boming during a send-off ceremony before the launch of the Shenzhou 7 space craft.   (AP Photo)
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