Fergie's Tech Blog

Chinese Astronauts Complete First Spacewalk

Clara Moskowitz writes on Space.com:

A Chinese astronaut has completed his nation's first ever foray into space beyond the confines of a spacecraft.

Zhai Zhigang, the lead Chinese astronaut, or taikonaut, of the Shenzhou 7 mission, spent about 20 minutes floating outside his vehicle. During the spacewalk, which began at about 4:40 a.m. ET (0840 GMT) and ended at 4:58 (0858 GMT), he retrieved a small sample of solid lubricant from the outside of the spacecraft that had been placed there before launch. The excursion was broadcast live.

Zhai, along with crewmates Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng, launched into space Thursday aboard a Long March 2F rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China's Gansu province. The mission is China's third manned spaceflight.

posted by Fergie @ 9/27/2008 12:12:00 PM