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China's Shenzhou VII spacecraft, carrying three astronauts on a historic space mission that will include the country's first spacewalk, launched successfully last night atop a Long March 2F rocket shortly after 9:00 a.m. EDT in Jiuquan, northwestern China.
Img: China National Space Agency (CNSA). Credit: CNSA
The three-day mission is the next stage in China's ambitious and expensive space program, which it hopes will lead to a permanent space station and a man on the moon.
The spacewalk, which will be conducted by 42-year-old veteran fighter pilot Zhai Zhigang, will make China the third country to achieve such a milestone after Russia and the United States.
The launch was shown live on state television with President Hu Jintao attending the launch ceremony in support of the mission.
Speaking to the astronauts prior to takeoff he said: "You will definitely accomplish this glorious and sacred mission. The motherland and the people are looking forward to your triumphant return."
Earlier, Wang Zhaoyao, a spokesperson with the China Manned Space Program Office, was reported by Chinese media as saying the success of the mission depended on how well the crew performed their tasks.
"How well the astronauts can operate independently in space will be a key factor to the success of this mission," he said.
After being introduced to the media on Wednesday, astronauts Zhai Zhigang, Jing Haipeng and Liu Boming said they were confident of success.
"The Shenzhou VII mission marks a historic breakthrough in China's manned space program," the Associated Press reported Zhai as saying. "It is a great honour for all three of us to fly the mission, and we are fully prepared for the challenge."
The mission is expected to last three to four days with the spacewalk, scheduled to last around 40 minutes, likely to take place on either Friday or Saturday.
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