China's astronauts brace for space walk
by Robert J. Saiget
JIUQUAN, China (AFP) - China's three astronauts spent their first day in orbit Friday preparing for a much-anticipated walk outside their craft, as Japan voiced hopes its neighbour had peaceful aims in space.The voyage of the Shenzhou VII, China's third manned foray into space, has proceeded without a glitch since it blasted off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China late Thursday, state media said.
"We feel physically sound," the trio, led by Zhai Zhigang, reported back to ground control after blast-off, Xinhua news agency reported.
At 4:04 am (2004 GMT Thursday) the Shenzhou VII entered into a round orbit around Earth from its initial oval orbit, a complicated manoeuvre which makes it possible for the three to get down to the real business of the journey.
The astronauts spent most of the day assembling and testing the space suit that one of them -- most likely 41-year-old Zhai -- was to put on for an unprecedented walk in space scheduled for Saturday, Xinhua said.
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