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China's First Spacewalk

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the hold-your-breath dept.

Smivs writes "The BBC reports that China will launch its third manned space mission in late September, according to state-run news agency Xinhua. The Shenzhou VII flight will feature China's first-ever space walk, which will be broadcast live with cameras inside and outside the spacecraft. For the spacewalk, two crew members will go into the spacecraft's vacuum module. One yuhangyuan (astronaut) will carry out the spacewalk; the other is there to monitor the activity and assist in case of an emergency. Two types of spacesuits — one made in China, the other from Russia — will be carried up on the flight. It is unclear why China has opted for two different types of spacesuit. Spaceflight analyst Dr Morris Jones commented that China might want to test the suits against each other. Alternatively, he said, it might not be ready or willing to fly a mission exclusively with its own suits."

9 of 148 comments (clear)

  1. I know what they're up to... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...and I can't stand by to let it happen! To arms, people, they're going to censor the IIS's wifi!

  2. OMG someone stop the Chinese right now by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    before they build a sphere around the earth to keep us inside.

    1. Re:OMG someone stop the Chinese right now by eln · · Score: 4, Funny

      The reference makes no sense if it's referring to Spaceballs. The bubble around Druidia (the air shield) was intended to keep the air in, not the people. The people could presumably come and go as they pleased as long as they knew the combination (which, coincidentally, is the same combination I have on my luggage).

  3. Descision making by Hrshgn · · Score: 4, Funny

    I'm just asking myself how they decided which of the two astronauts will have the honor to try the Chinese spacesuit?

    1. Re:Descision making by phantomcircuit · · Score: 2, Funny

      WHOOOOOSH

  4. Scary space walk by Dystopian+Rebel · · Score: 5, Funny

    If I were the yuhangyuan on the tether, I'd be yelling "You Hang You On!" like crazy!

    Joy luck, gentlemen.

    --
    Rich And Stupid is not so bad as Working For Rich And Stupid.
    1. Re:Scary space walk by Nerdfest · · Score: 2, Funny

      I keep thinking "Space Wok, with yuhangyuan!". Must be too close to lunch.

  5. Differing space suits by halcyon1234 · · Score: 4, Funny

    It is unclear why China has opted for two different types of spacesuit.

    Because the first type of suit doesn't come in child sizes

    --
    UTF-8: There and Back Again
  6. typo... by da5idnetlimit.com · · Score: 2, Funny

    =>the US would benefit more with exploring the Universe than exploding Iraq

    Here, I done it for you.

    --
    It takes 40+ muscles to frown, but only four to extend your arm and bitchslap the motherfucker