China Launches Shenzhou 7 with First Spacewalk

Context

By the mid-2000s, China's human spaceflight program had progressed from its first orbital mission in 2003 to a two-person flight in 2005, both using Shenzhou spacecraft launched on Long March 2F rockets from Jiuquan. These early successes demonstrated reliable launch and reentry capabilities while building operational experience for longer-duration flights. The program operated under the China Manned Space Agency with support from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, reflecting a deliberate, phased approach to crewed spaceflight that emphasized technological self-reliance.

What Happened

On September 25, 2008, at 21:10 China Standard Time, the Shenzhou 7 spacecraft lifted off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center carrying taikonauts Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming, and Jing Haipeng. The three-day mission reached a low Earth orbit of approximately 330 by 340 kilometers. On September 27, Zhai Zhigang performed China's first spacewalk, exiting the orbital module in a domestically developed Feitian spacesuit for 22 minutes; he retrieved experiment samples and displayed the Chinese flag while tethered to the spacecraft. Liu Boming, wearing a Russian Orlan-M suit, assisted from the airlock and briefly stood outside to hand over a flag. Jing Haipeng remained inside the reentry module monitoring systems. The crew also released a small companion satellite and conducted a solid lubricant exposure experiment before preparing for return.

Aftermath

The spacecraft landed safely on September 28 in Siziwang Banner, Inner Mongolia. Foreign leaders extended congratulations, and the mission was recognized with the 2009 Space Achievement Award from the Space Foundation. The successful EVA and supporting technologies, including data relay via the Tianlian satellite, confirmed operational readiness for more complex activities.

Legacy

Shenzhou 7 marked the transition to the second phase of China's manned space program, directly informing the development of its space station and subsequent rendezvous and docking demonstrations. As only the third nation to conduct an independent spacewalk, the flight underscored China's commitment to autonomous crewed capabilities and positioned it as a significant player in early 21st-century space exploration alongside established programs.