Special Report: Third Manned Space Mission

    JIUQUAN, Gansu, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- China's Shenzhou-7 astronauts will wear the Orlan space suits provided by a Russian supplier and also the indigenous Feitian suit during the country's first ever space walk, said Wang Zhaoyao, spokesman with China's manned space program on Wednesday.

    Two astronauts who are scheduled to perform the extravehicular activities (EVA)will each wear the Orlan and the Fetian suit, and Russian experts will provide technical support for the process, retold a news conference at the launch center.

The headquarters of China's third manned space mission holds a press conference at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gansu Province, Sept. 24, 2008. China will launch its third manned spacecraft Shenzhou-7 from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Thursday Sept. 25, and the launch window is set between 9:07 p.m. to 10:27 p.m. (Beijing Time), according to the headquarters.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    According to a contract signed in April, 2004, a Russia companyprovides three Orlan suits, two low-pressure training suits, four suits for underwater training, and four sets of docking systems in the craft. The Chinese side is responsible for providing power andcommunications equipment for some of the EVA suits.

    The contract has been implemented smoothly, Wang said.

    China has cooperated well with Russia, one of the pioneering countries in space exploration, in mutually-beneficial cooperation and exchanges, the spokesman said.

    Wang took the occasion to thank the Russian partners for their assistance.

    "The active collaboration of the two countries in areas like astronauts training and the development of spacecraft have boosted the advancement of China's manned space industry," he said.

    "Such cooperation is in the interests of both countries," he said, "and the experience of successful collaboration in Shenzhou-7 space flight will create positive conditions for future bilateral cooperation."

    The Shenzhou-7 spacecraft, China's third manned space voyager, will be launched Thursday at the Jiuquan satellite launch center in the northwest Gansu province.

Wang Zhaoyao (C), spokesman with China's manned space program, answers questions during a press conference held by the headquarters of China's third manned space mission at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gansu Province, Sept. 24, 2008. China will launch its third manned spacecraft Shenzhou-7 from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Thursday Sept. 25, and the launch window is set between 9:07 p.m. to 10:27 p.m. (Beijing Time), according to the headquarters. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>