View source for Shenzhou 7

{{Short description|2008 Chinese crewed spaceflight}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name                  = Shenzhou 7
| image                 = Shenzhou 7 spacecraft model 1.jpg
| image_caption         = Shenzhou 7 spacecraft model
| image_size            =
| insignia              =

| mission_type          = 
| operator              = 
| COSPAR_ID             = 2008-047A
| SATCAT                = 33386
| mission_duration      = 2 days, 20 hours, 27 minutes
| orbits_completed      =

| spacecraft_type       = [[Shenzhou (spacecraft)|Shenzhou]]
| manufacturer          = 
| launch_mass           = 
| landing_mass          =

| launch_date           = {{start-date|25 September 2008, 13:10:04.988|timezone=yes}}&nbsp;UTC<ref name="JSR600" />
| launch_rocket         = [[Long March 2F]]
| launch_site           = [[Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center|Jiuquan]] [[Jiuquan Launch Area 4|LA-4/SLS-1]]

| landing_date          = {{end-date|28 September 2008, 09:37|timezone=yes}}&nbsp;UTC<ref name="landing_chinawindow" />
| landing_site          = [[Siziwang Banner]]<br/>Central [[Inner Mongolia]]{{vague|date=September 2013}}

| orbit_epoch           = 
| orbit_reference       = [[geocentric orbit|Geocentric]]
| orbit_regime          = [[low Earth orbit|Low Earth]]
| orbit_periapsis       = 
| orbit_apoapsis        = 
| orbit_inclination     = 
| orbit_period          = 
| apsis                 = gee

| crew_size             = 3
| crew_members          = [[Zhai Zhigang]]<br/>[[Liu Boming (astronaut)|Liu Boming]]<br/>[[Jing Haipeng]]
| crew_callsign         = 
| crew_EVAs             = 1
| crew_EVA_duration     = 22&nbsp;minutes
| crew_photo            = Shenzhou 7 Crew Montage.jpg
| crew_photo_caption    = Zhai, Liu and Jing

| previous_mission      = [[Shenzhou 6]]
| next_mission          = [[Shenzhou 8]]
| programme             = [[Shenzhou program|Shenzhou]] missions
}}

'''Shenzhou 7''' ({{zh|s=神舟七号|t=神舟七號|p=Shénzhōu Qī Hào}}) was the third [[human spaceflight]] mission of the [[Chinese space program]]. The mission, which included the first Chinese [[extra-vehicular activity]] (EVA) carried out by crew members [[Zhai Zhigang]] and [[Liu Boming (astronaut)|Liu Boming]], marked the commencement of the second phase of the Chinese government's [[Chinese space program#Notable spaceflight programs|Project 921]].

The [[Shenzhou spacecraft]] carrying the three crew members was launched 25 September 2008, by a [[Long March 2F]] (CZ-2F) rocket which lifted off from the [[Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center]] at 21:10 CST.<ref name="JSR600" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071120/ap_on_sc/china_space;_ylt=AlY9TmqX4L5d8TLlL7v1tjkPLBIF|title=China manned mission to follow Olympics |date=20 November 2006|access-date=20 November 2007}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> The mission lasted three days, after which the craft landed safely in [[Siziwang Banner]] in central [[Inner Mongolia]] on 28 September 2008, at 17:37 CST.<ref name="landing_chinawindow">{{cite web | url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/28/content_10128407.htm | title=Chinese taikonauts return as heroes after landmark spacewalk | publisher=China View | work=Window of China | date=28 September 2008 | access-date=28 September 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001021826/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/28/content_10128407.htm | archive-date=1 October 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.longhoo.net/gb/longhoo/news/tech/userobject1ai796208.html|title="神七""神九"将太空对接 "神七"准备工作顺利 (Shenzhou 7 and Shenzhou 9 to perform space rendezvous; Shenzhou 7 preparations for work going smoothly)|publisher=Longhu News Center|date=4 March 2008|access-date=1 May 2008|language=zh|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213165352/http://news.longhoo.net/gb/longhoo/news/tech/userobject1ai796208.html|archive-date=13 February 2009}}</ref> The Shenzhou 7 EVA made the Chinese space program the third to have conducted an EVA. EVAs had previously been conducted by the space programs of the Soviet Union (later Russia) and the United States.

== Crew ==
The crew for Shenzhou 7 was announced on 17 September 2008.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/17/content_10050286.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918093549/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/17/content_10050286.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=September 18, 2008 | title=China names first "spacewalker" astronaut | publisher=China View | work=Window of China | date=17 September 2008| access-date=28 September 2008}}</ref>
{{Spaceflight crew
| terminology = Crew Member
| position1   = Commander
| crew1_up    = [[Zhai Zhigang]] {{Flagicon|CHN}}
| flights1_up = First
| position2   = Orbital Module Astronaut<ref name="host.planet4589.org">{{Cite web |url=http://host.planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.601 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2009-07-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826061037/http://host.planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.601 |archive-date=2009-08-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| crew2_up    = [[Liu Boming (taikonaut)|Liu Boming]] {{Flagicon|CHN}}
| flights2_up = First
| position3   = Descent Module Monitor Astronaut<ref name="host.planet4589.org" />
| crew3_up    = [[Jing Haipeng]] {{Flagicon|CHN}}
| flights3_up = First
}}

=== Backup crew ===
{{Spaceflight crew
| terminology = Crew Member
| position1   = Commander
| crew1_up    = [[Chen Quan]] ([[:zh:陈全|陈全]])
| position2   = Orbital Module Astronaut<ref name="host.planet4589.org" />
| crew2_up    = [[Fei Junlong]] ([[:zh:费俊龙|费俊龙]])
| position3   = Descent Module Monitor Astronaut<ref name="host.planet4589.org" />
| crew3_up    = [[Nie Haisheng]] ([[:zh:聂海胜|聂海胜]])
}}

Of the back-up crew, only Chen Quan had not previously flown in space.

== Mission highlights ==

Shenzhou 7 was the first Chinese space mission to carry a three-person crew for several days and conduct a full operation. A total of six astronauts were trained, three to conduct the mission and three others to serve as a backup crew.

The [[Long March 2F]] rocket launched the Shenzhou 7 into an initial elliptical orbit of 200 x 330 kilometres inclined at 42.4 degrees on 25 September 2008. About seven hours later the spacecraft raised its orbit to a more circular orbit of 330 x 336&nbsp;km.<ref name="JSR600">{{cite web | last=McDowell | first=Jonathan | url=http://host.planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.600 | title=Jonathan's Space Report, Number 600 | work=[[Jonathan's Space Report]] | date=26 September 2008 | access-date=28 September 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120727213633/http://host.planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.600 | archive-date=27 July 2012 | url-status=dead }}</ref> After three days in space, deorbit manoeuvres began on 28 September at 08:48, and the return module landed at 09:37 UTC at coordinates {{coord|42.278|N|111.355|E|display=inline|type:landmark_scale:3000000_region:CN}}.<ref name="JSR601Draft">{{cite web |last=McDowell |first=Jonathan |url=http://planet4589.org/space/jsr/latest.html |title=JSR No. 601 draft |work=[[Jonathan's Space Report]] |date=29 September 2008 |access-date=29 September 2008 }}</ref>

China has been congratulated by a number of foreign leaders for the successful completion of the mission,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/28/content_10129558.htm | title=Foreign leaders congratulate China on successful space mission | publisher=[[Xinhua]] | date=28 September 2008 | access-date=29 September 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080929063820/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/28/content_10129558.htm | archive-date=29 September 2008 }}</ref> which marked a number of developments for China's space program, including several first-time achievements.

The Shenzhou 7 Mission won the 2009 Space Achievement Award<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalspacesymposium.org/symposium-awards |title=Symposium Awards &#124; National Space Symposium |access-date=2012-01-31 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203060101/http://www.nationalspacesymposium.org/symposium-awards |archive-date=2009-02-03 }}</ref> from the ''[[Space Foundation]]''.

=== Spacewalk ===
[[File:ShenzhouVII.jpg|thumb|right|Space capsule of Shenzhou 7 at a 'homecoming' exhibition in Hong Kong]]

On 27 September, [[Zhai Zhigang]], wearing a Chinese-developed [[Feitian space suit]], conducted a 22-minute space walk, the first ever for a Chinese astronaut.<ref name="JSR601">{{cite web |last=McDowell |first=Jonathan |url=http://planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.601 |title=JSR No. 601 |work=[[Jonathan's Space Report]] |date=2008-10-12 |access-date=2012-07-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212145624/http://www.planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.601 |archive-date=2012-02-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="First_Chinese EVA">{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/27/content_10122420.htm|title=Taikonaut Zhai's small step historical leap for China|publisher=[[Xinhua]]|date=27 September 2008|access-date=28 September 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001020959/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/27/content_10122420.htm|archive-date=1 October 2008}}</ref> Zhai slipped out of the orbital module in a head-first position at around 16:43 (0843 GMT) and wandered around the orbital module, retrieved experiment samples and waved the Chinese flag in space. The spacewalk lasted about 20 minutes, with Zhai returning to the orbital module at 17:00.<ref name="First_Chinese spacewalk">{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/27/content_10121998.htm|title=Chinese taikonaut greets nation, world in first spacewalk|publisher=[[Xinhua]]|date=27 September 2008|access-date=28 September 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928132401/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/27/content_10121998.htm|archive-date=28 September 2008}}</ref> The first space walk was limited in scope: cables were used to tie Zhai to the handrail outside the orbital module, and his moving route was restricted to areas near the exits. [[Liu Boming (astronaut)|Liu Boming]], wearing a Russian [[Orlan space suit|Orlan-M]] suit, stayed in the airlock in the orbital module to provide help if necessary. Liu also conducted an EVA, standing up at 08:58 UTC to hand Zhai a flag.<ref name="JSR601" /> The third astronaut, [[Jing Haipeng]] remained in the re-entry module to monitor the general situation of the spacecraft.<ref name="division of work">{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-09/27/content_10124543.htm|title=神七日志：第三天 (Shenzhou 7 log: Day 3)|language=zh|publisher=[[Xinhua]]|date=28 September 2008|access-date=28 September 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080930155350/http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-09/27/content_10124543.htm|archive-date=30 September 2008}}</ref> By 09:00 UTC both astronauts were back inside and the hatch was closed.<ref name="JSR601" /> The space walk was broadcast live on Chinese media, and two cameras provided panoramic images.<ref name="double cameras">{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-09/25/content_10110233.htm|script-title=zh:神七舱外新装2台摄像机拍摄航天员太空行走|publisher=[[Xinhua]]|date=25 September 2008|language=zh|access-date=28 September 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928044815/http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-09/25/content_10110233.htm|archive-date=28 September 2008}}</ref>

The Feitian spacesuit is similar to the Orlan-M (known as ''Haiying'', 海鹰, in Chinese) in shape and volume and are designed for spacewalks of up to seven hours,<ref name="Xinhua_suits" /> providing oxygen and allowing for the excretion of bodily waste.<ref name="Xinhua_suits">{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-06/01/content_6182498.htm|title=China's astronaut outfitters design material for spacewalk suits|publisher=[[Xinhua]]|date=1 June 2007|access-date=2 December 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080125005254/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-06/01/content_6182498.htm|archive-date=25 January 2008}}</ref> According to Chinese media reports, spacesuit materials with such features as fire and radiation resistance were developed by several civilian corporations and national institutes.<ref name="suits materials">{{cite web|url=http://www.yfu.cn/hyxx/kjqy/200607/35295.html|script-title=zh:神七出舱服装特种外层防护材料上海制造|publisher=中国服装款式网|date=2006-07-03|language=zh|access-date=28 September 2008|archive-date=2016-01-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109214807/http://www.yfu.cn/hyxx/kjqy/200607/35295.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="suits materials2">{{cite web|url=http://www.yfu.cn/hyxx/kjqy/200607/36572.html|script-title=zh:"神七"宇航服还是成都造|publisher=中国服装款式网|date=20 July 2006|language=zh|access-date=28 September 2008|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303173022/http://www.yfu.cn/hyxx/kjqy/200607/36572.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Each suit was reported to have cost 30 million [[Renminbi|RMB]] (about US$4.4 million).<ref name="BBC">{{cite news | publisher=BBC News | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7637818.stm | title=Chinese astronaut walks in space |date=27 September 2008 | access-date=28 September 2008}}</ref><ref name="Xinhua_suits_price">{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/tech/2006-09/21/content_5119752.htm|script-title=zh:"神七"太空服每件造价1.6亿 将实现太空行走|publisher=[[Xinhua]]|date=21 September 2006|access-date=13 July 2008|language=zh|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010133535/http://news.xinhuanet.com/tech/2006-09/21/content_5119752.htm|archive-date=10 October 2008}}</ref> Except for the gloves of the Feitian suit, the space suits were not brought back to Earth.<ref name="China.org">{{cite web| url=http://www.china.org.cn/china/shenzhouVII_spacewalk/2008-09/25/content_16533059.htm |title =China's indigenous Feitian space suit|publisher=China.org |date=25 September 2008 |access-date=29 September 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://news.sina.com.cn/c/1|title=神七载人飞船返回舱搭载物亮相|publisher=[[Sina.com]]|date=1 October 2008|access-date=1 October 2008}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

A fire alarm was reported to the control center at the beginning of the EVA, but it was confirmed to be a false alarm.<ref name="False fire alarm">{{cite web|url=http://www.china.org.cn/china/shenzhouVII_spacewalk/2008-09/27/content_16547908.htm|title=王兆耀解释为何打开舱门相当周折：不可能着火 (Wang Zhaoyao explains why opening the cabin doors is safe: It cannot catch fire)|publisher= [[Xinhua]]|date=27 September 2008|language=zh|access-date=28 September 2008}}</ref><ref name="False fire alarm english">{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/27/content_10123628_4.htm|title=Spokesman says fire alarm in Shenzhou-7 false, no fire breaks out|publisher=[[Xinhua]]|date=27 September 2008|access-date=28 September 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213205856/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/27/content_10123628_4.htm|archive-date=13 February 2009}}</ref>

=== Solid lubricant experiment ===

Scientists conducted a solid lubricant exposure experiment during the mission. A piece of equipment the size of a book was installed on the outside wall of the orbital module, and was later retrieved during the space walk, after having been exposed in space for more than 40 hours. The experiment was aimed to study a lubricant which will be used for space-based moving components in future space facilities.<ref name="Solid lubricant experiment">{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/26/content_10112553.htm|title=Chief designer says Shenzhou-7 has four tasks|publisher=[[Xinhua]]|date=26 September 2008|access-date=28 September 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928044508/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/26/content_10112553.htm|archive-date=28 September 2008}}</ref>

=== Release of miniaturized satellite ===
: {{Main|Banxing}}

A [[Small satellite|miniaturized satellite]] was released during the mission on 27 September at 19:24, after Zhai returned to the spacecraft. The satellite was a cube about {{convert|40|cm|in|abbr=on}} long, with a mass of {{convert|40|kg|lb}}; it carried boost devices and two 150-megapixel [[stereo cameras]].<!--An English source would be preferable here--><ref>{{cite web |date=24 September 2008 |title=伴飞小卫星将给神七"照相" |trans-title=Banfei miniature satellite to "take pictures" of Shenzhou 7 |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-09/24/content_10104656.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928104838/http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-09/24/content_10104656.htm |archive-date=28 September 2008 |access-date=28 September 2008 |publisher=[[Xinhua]] |language=zh}}</ref> The satellite's tasks included testing the mini-satellite technology, observing and monitoring the spacecraft, and testing the tracking and approaching technology used for [[Space rendezvous|space rendezvous and docking]].<ref name="miniaturized satellite">{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/27/content_10123015.htm|title=Shenzhou-7 launches small monitoring satellite|publisher=[[Xinhua]]|date=27 September 2008|access-date=28 September 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928132231/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/27/content_10123015.htm|archive-date=28 September 2008}}</ref>

The miniaturized satellite took photos and videos near the spacecraft, then maneuvered to about {{convert|100|to|200|km|mi}} away from the spacecraft. After the return module separated from the spacecraft and re-entered the atmosphere, the satellite caught up to the orbiting spacecraft using a liquid ammonia engine, then continue to orbit around the spacecraft. The mini-satellite will work for about three months.<ref>{{cite web |date=24 September 2008 |title=伴飞小卫星将"追赶"分离后的神七轨道舱 |trans-title=Banfei miniature satellite to "chase" Shenzhou 7 orbital module after separation |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-09/24/content_10104787.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080927221510/http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-09/24/content_10104787.htm |archive-date=27 September 2008 |access-date=24 September 2008 |publisher=[[Xinhua]] |language=zh}}</ref>{{Update inline|date=July 2012|reason=that was 2008, it's now 2012}}

=== Data relay satellite ===

China launched its first [[communication satellite|data relay satellite]], called ''[[Tianlian I-01|Tianlian I]]'' (天链一号), from the [[Xichang Satellite Launch Center]] on a [[Long March 3C|Long March-3C]] carrier rocket on 25 April 2008.<ref name="Tianlian I">{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-04/26/content_8052455.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080429170953/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-04/26/content_8052455.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 29, 2008|title=China blasts off first data relay satellite|publisher= [[Xinhua]]|date=26 April 2008|access-date=28 September 2008}}</ref> The Tianlian I satellite will be used to speed up communication between the Shenzhou 7 spacecraft and the ground stations, and to increase the amount of data that can be transferred to the ground. The Tianlian I satellite alone can cover 50 percent of the orbit of Shenzhou 7—whereas the [[Yuanwang]] space tracking ships, along with China's ten ground observation stations, have a coverage of only 12 percent—and thus will increase the total coverage to about 62 percent of the mission.<ref name="Solid lubricant experiment" />

== Mission support and preparation ==
{{more citations needed|section|date=September 2017}}<!--many CN tags-->

=== Subsystems ===
The Shenzhou 7 project consists of seven subsystems, with the Chinese military responsible for launching, recovering, crew, and tracking subsystems, [[China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation]] responsible for the carrier rocket and spacecraft itself, and the [[Chinese Academy of Sciences]] responsible for the payloads on board the spacecraft (other than the crew).{{Citation needed|date=September 2008}}

=== Water training pool ===
A columniform water training pool of {{convert|23|m|ft}} in diameter and {{convert|10|m|ft}} in depth, located in China Astronaut Training Center, simulates the weightlessness experienced in space. A model of the Shenzhou orbital module has been used in the pool to train the crew for the space walk.<ref name="Water pool">{{cite web|url=http://news.sohu.com/20080925/n259736731.shtml|title=10米水下"太空漫步" (A "space stroll" under 10 meters of water)|publisher= [[Sohu.com]]|date=25 September 2008|access-date=28 September 2008|language=zh}}</ref>

=== Modifications to the CZ-2F carrier rocket ===

Special attention has been paid to solving vibration problems that were encountered 120 seconds into the [[Shenzhou 5]] mission. These vibrations were described by Shenzhou 5 astronaut [[Yang Liwei]] as hard to endure.{{Citation needed|date=September 2008}} Corrective measures were implemented for the [[Shenzhou 6]] mission,{{Citation needed|date=September 2008}} but since then more improvements have been added to the [[Long March 2F|carrier rocket]], to the pipes of the second stage, and to more than thirty other parts of the spacecraft..{{Citation needed|date=September 2008}}

=== Modifications to the spacecraft ===

The [[Orbital module]] has been modified and its solar panels removed in order to allow for the EVA experiment. For this same reason, in contrast to previous Shenzhou missions, it will not remain in space after its separation with the departing crew in the Return module.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.ifeng.com/mil/2/200806/0626_340_617870_3.shtml|title=神八2010年首飞 运载火箭将有重大变化 (Delivery rockets for 2010 maiden flight of Shenzhou 8 to undergo major changes)| publisher= Phoenix TV |date=26 June 2008|access-date=8 July 2008|language=zh}}</ref> Handrails have been added to the external wall of the Orbital module to allow the space walking astronaut to reach specific experiment areas.<ref name="second_astronaut">{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/tech/2008-06/12/xin_0420605121410078265007.jpg|script-title=zh:神七准备中俄产两套航天服 出舱将穿国产服|publisher=[[People's Daily]]|date=23 July 2008|access-date=23 July 2008|language=zh|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001161804/http://news.xinhuanet.com/tech/2008-06/12/xin_0420605121410078265007.jpg|archive-date=1 October 2008}}</ref>

More cameras have been installed on this spacecraft than on the Shenzhou 6 vessel, in addition to those covering the Orbital module and the Return module.<ref name="Xinhua_suits_price" />

=== New space tracking ships ===
Two new, recently commissioned [[Yuan Wang class tracking ship|Yuanwang-class tracking ships]], Yuanwang-5 and Yuanwang-6, played a key role in the Shenzhou VII mission.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scitech.people.com.cn/GB/7170743.html|script-title=zh:我国新一代航天远洋测量船完成海上设备精度鉴定|publisher=China Government online|date=10 July 2007|access-date=11 July 2008|language=zh|archive-date=10 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610041047/http://scitech.people.com.cn/GB/7170743.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Toilets ===

Custom-made, compact, foldable toilets allow the astronaut's collected urine to be scientifically inspected.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kuaibao.net/html/2008-09/03/content_64419025.htm |title=神七厕所南京制造 (Nanjing manufactures Shenzhou 7 toilets) |publisher=[[Xinhua]] |date=3 September 2008 |access-date=3 September 2008 |language=zh |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214044740/http://www.kuaibao.net/html/2008-09/03/content_64419025.htm |archive-date=February 14, 2009 }}</ref>

=== Project management ===
Most of the [[Shenzhou 6]] [[Shenzhou 6#Mission highlights|project management team]] has stayed for the Shenzhou 7 mission. Changes in personnel include:
* General Project Manager and Commander [[Chen Bingde]] has been replaced, after his promotion to the position of Chief of the General Staff, by the current Director-General of the [[General Armaments Department]], [[Chang Wanquan]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2008}}
* First Vice General Project Manager and Commander Lieutenant General [[Hu Shixiang]] ({{lang|zh|胡世祥}}) has been replaced by the current Vice Director-General of the [[General Armaments Department]], [[Lieutenant General]] [[Zhang Jianqi]] ({{lang|zh|张建启}}){{Citation needed|date=September 2008}}
* Vice General Project Manager and Commander [[Zhang Qingwei]] has been replaced after his promotion to head of the [[ACAC consortium]], by [[Ma Xingrui]], the head of [[China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation]]
* Vice General Engineer of [[Shenzhou 6]], [[Zhou Jianping]] ({{lang|zh|周建平}}) was promoted to General Engineer of Shenzhou 7, succeeding [[Wang Yongzhi]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2008}}
* Director of the [[Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center]]: [[Major General]] [[Zhang Yulin]] ({{lang|zh|张育林}}) has been replaced, after his promotion to Chancellor of the [[National University of Defense Technology]], by the Vice Director of [[Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center]] [[Major General]] [[Cui Jijun]] ({{lang|zh|崔吉俊}})

== Controversy ==

According to the [[United States Strategic Command]], at 15:07 Greenwich Mean Time on 27 September 2008, the Shenzhou 7 ship passed within 45 kilometers of the [[International Space Station]]. There is no international laws defining distance of passage of outer space objects. China did not respond to queries about why it allowed its ship to pass so close to the space station. Richard Fisher, a senior fellow at the International Assessment and Strategy Center, in an opinion piece in the ''Wall Street Journal'' noted that the Shenzhou 7 had launched its companion satellite [[BX-1]] four hours earlier. The IASC is a "think-tank" focused on medium and long-term security issues and their impact on the security of the United States and her key allies. He noted "China's track record of using all of its Shenzhou missions since 1999 for dual military-civil missions," and speculated that China may have used the opportunity to pass near the space station to test "co-orbital" antisatellite interception technology.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fisher Jr. |first=Richard D. |date=31 October 2008 |title=China's Close Call |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122539460905385099 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614002610/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122539460905385099 |archive-date=2015-06-14 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal Asia]] |page=15}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Spaceflight|China}}
{{Commons category|Shenzhou-7}}
* [[Chinese space program]]
* [[Tiangong program]]
* [[Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center]]
* [[Long March 2F|Long March 2F Rocket]]
* [[Voskhod 2]], first spacewalk mission, first Soviet spacewalk, first spacewalk from a 2-man crew mission
* [[Gemini 4]], first US spacewalk mission, second spacewalk mission, second spacewalk from a 2-man crew mission
* [[Voskhod 1]], first 3-man crew mission
* [[Soyuz 5]], first 3-man crew mission with EVA
{{Clear}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

== External links ==
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090203060101/http://www.nationalspacesymposium.org/symposium-awards Space Achievement Award]}}

{{Shenzhou program|before=[[Shenzhou 6]]|after=[[Shenzhou 8]]}}
{{Chinese space program}}
{{Orbital launches in 2008}}
{{Touching the Heart of China}}

[[Category:Shenzhou 7| ]]
[[Category:Human spaceflights|Shenzhou 07]]
[[Category:Spacecraft launched in 2008]]
[[Category:China Manned Space Program|Shenzhou 07]]
[[Category:Extravehicular activity]]
[[Category:2008 in China]]
[[Category:Spacecraft which reentered in 2008]]