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China spacecraft returns to Earth China spacecraft returns to Earth
(20 minutes later)
China's Shenzhou VII space capsule has returned to Earth after a successful mission orbiting the planet.China's Shenzhou VII space capsule has returned to Earth after a successful mission orbiting the planet.
The spacecraft touched down in the Mongolian desert to rapturous applause from mission control. The three astronauts were said to be well.The spacecraft touched down in the Mongolian desert to rapturous applause from mission control. The three astronauts were said to be well.
While in orbit, the three-man crew conducted experiments said to be crucial to China's space programme.While in orbit, the three-man crew conducted experiments said to be crucial to China's space programme.
The highlight of the trip was a space walk - the first in the country's historY - broadcast live on TV.The highlight of the trip was a space walk - the first in the country's historY - broadcast live on TV.
During the brief operation, fighter pilot Zhai Zhigang emerged from the capsule to wave a Chinese flag.During the brief operation, fighter pilot Zhai Zhigang emerged from the capsule to wave a Chinese flag.
Mr Zhai, 42, stayed outside the capsule for 15 minutes while his two fellow astronauts stayed in the spacecraft.Mr Zhai, 42, stayed outside the capsule for 15 minutes while his two fellow astronauts stayed in the spacecraft.
Your country and your fellow citizens thank you for your devotion to the space programme President Hu Jintao James Reynolds' blogYour country and your fellow citizens thank you for your devotion to the space programme President Hu Jintao James Reynolds' blog
The exercise was seen as key to China's ambition to build an orbiting station in the next few years.The exercise was seen as key to China's ambition to build an orbiting station in the next few years.
Zhai Zhigang and the other two astronauts on the Shenzhou VII craft are due to land around 1740 (0940 GMT) in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.Zhai Zhigang and the other two astronauts on the Shenzhou VII craft are due to land around 1740 (0940 GMT) in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
PridePride
Mr Zhai wore a Chinese-made spacesuit thought to have cost between £5m and £20m ($10m-$40m) for the space walk.Mr Zhai wore a Chinese-made spacesuit thought to have cost between £5m and £20m ($10m-$40m) for the space walk.
1958: Base for spaceflights built at Jiuquan, in Gobi desertApril 1970: China launches its first satellite into space1990-2002: Shenzhou I-IV are launched to develop systems Oct 2003: The first manned space mission launches on Shenzhou VOct 2005: The Shenzhou VI mission takes two men into space Oct 2007: Chang'e-1 orbiter sent on unmanned mission to the Moon1958: Base for spaceflights built at Jiuquan, in Gobi desertApril 1970: China launches its first satellite into space1990-2002: Shenzhou I-IV are launched to develop systems Oct 2003: The first manned space mission launches on Shenzhou VOct 2005: The Shenzhou VI mission takes two men into space Oct 2007: Chang'e-1 orbiter sent on unmanned mission to the Moon
The "yuhangyuan" (astronaut) was tethered to the capsule with an umbilical cable.The "yuhangyuan" (astronaut) was tethered to the capsule with an umbilical cable.
President Hu Jintao spoke to the astronauts at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center for the Shenzhou-VII mission, state news agency Xinhua reported.President Hu Jintao spoke to the astronauts at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center for the Shenzhou-VII mission, state news agency Xinhua reported.
"Your country and your fellow citizens thank you for your devotion to the space programme," he told them."Your country and your fellow citizens thank you for your devotion to the space programme," he told them.
The Shenzhou VII capsule soared into orbit on a Long March II-F rocket from Jiuquan spaceport in north-west China on 25 September.The Shenzhou VII capsule soared into orbit on a Long March II-F rocket from Jiuquan spaceport in north-west China on 25 September.
China became only the third nation after the United States and Russia to independently put a man in space when Yang Liwei, another fighter pilot, went into orbit on the Shenzhou V mission in October 2003.China became only the third nation after the United States and Russia to independently put a man in space when Yang Liwei, another fighter pilot, went into orbit on the Shenzhou V mission in October 2003.
Two years later, Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng completed a five-day flight on Shenzhou VI.Two years later, Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng completed a five-day flight on Shenzhou VI.
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China astronaut's space walk
Chinese media report that this latest mission is the "most critical step" in the country's "three-step" space programme.Chinese media report that this latest mission is the "most critical step" in the country's "three-step" space programme.
These stages are: sending a human into orbit, docking spacecraft together to form a small laboratory and, ultimately, building a large space station.These stages are: sending a human into orbit, docking spacecraft together to form a small laboratory and, ultimately, building a large space station.
The Shenzhou VIII and IX missions are expected to help set up a space laboratory complex in 2010.The Shenzhou VIII and IX missions are expected to help set up a space laboratory complex in 2010.
China launched an unmanned Moon probe last year about one month after rival Japan blasted its own lunar orbiter into space.China launched an unmanned Moon probe last year about one month after rival Japan blasted its own lunar orbiter into space.
SHENZHOU VII SPACECRAFT 1. Forward orbital module - crew live and work in this section, which contains scientific equipment. In future missions, this module may remain in orbit as part of a Chinese space station2. Re-entry capsule - contains seats for three crew3. Propulsion module - contains spacecraft's power unit and liquid fuel rocket system4. Solar panels - spacecraft carries one pair of solar panels5. Spacewalk - One yuhangyuan (astronaut) exits the orbital module on a tether. Another crew member stands just inside to assist in case of an emergencySHENZHOU VII SPACECRAFT 1. Forward orbital module - crew live and work in this section, which contains scientific equipment. In future missions, this module may remain in orbit as part of a Chinese space station2. Re-entry capsule - contains seats for three crew3. Propulsion module - contains spacecraft's power unit and liquid fuel rocket system4. Solar panels - spacecraft carries one pair of solar panels5. Spacewalk - One yuhangyuan (astronaut) exits the orbital module on a tether. Another crew member stands just inside to assist in case of an emergency