China/Space

Spacecraft to return Sunday after space walk success

Article published on the 2008-09-27 Latest update 2008-09-28 08:52 TU

Zhai Zhigang waves a Chinese flag in space
(Photo: CCTV/Reuters)

China Saturday said its Shenzhou VII spacecraft carrying three astronauts onboard will return to Earth on Sunday afternoon after the nation's first space walk was successfully completed. Zhai Zhigang became China's first man to walk in space and his country became the third nation to accomplish the technical triumph, although Zhai floated in orbit for under 15 minutes, rather than the expected 20 minutes.

China's President Hu Jintao hailed Saturday's space walk by astronaut Zhai Zhigang as a "major breakthrough".

Internet forums showed widespread enthusiasm for the walk.

"Your spacewalk was a complete success. It's a major breakthrough in the development of our manned space programme," Hu told Zhai from the Beijing Aerospace Control Centre.

Zhai, who was attached to the spacecraft by two safety wires, waved a Chinese flag after climbing out of the spacecraft 343 kilometres above the earth. 

No explanation was given for why the walk was shorter than apparently programmed.

Zhai took a sample of lubricant and handed it to fellow astronaut Liu Boming, who was inside the craft, in an exercise that was supposed to replicate the kind of task that his successors in space might have to perform.

The walk was not ambitious and was essentially a technical rehearsal, according to Hong Kong astronomy professor Sun Kwok.

"In this case they have the new Chinese-designed spacesuit which has to be proven," he told RFI. "And they have to test mental and physical experience so that they can feel comfortable and demonstrate they can do it."

The walk comes just before China's National Day on 1 October, which marks the 59th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic. The US's Nasa space agency also marks 50th anniversary on the same day.