The Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC) has stated the Shenzhou-7 orbital module has completed its preset mission after spending 100 days in space. This achievement marks China's "preliminary mastery of satellite monitor technology," the center said. As there is still extra fuel onboard, the satellite will continue its flight for additional scientific experiments. This photo, captured by a small monitoring satellite six seconds after being released from the spaceship on September 27th, 2008, was released by China's manned space project on October 5th, 2008, and shows the Shenzhou-7 spaceship. The accompanying satellite was adjusted 13 times through engine ignitions in order to focus on the orbital module of Shenzhou-7. The center said the accompanying satellite has being flying around the orbital module in an elliptical circle, with the farthest distance of 7.6 kilometers and the nearest of 3.8 kilometers. The satellite has sent back thousands of high-quality pictures of the orbital module, which were captured by its two onboard cameras. China successfully launched the Shenzhou-7 spacecraft on September 25th last year, making China the third country in the world to conduct extravehicular activity (EVA) in space.
Satnews Daily
January 5th, 2009
After 100 Days In Space, Shenzhou-7 Companion Completes Mission
The Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC) has stated the Shenzhou-7 orbital module has completed its preset mission after spending 100 days in space. This achievement marks China's "preliminary mastery of satellite monitor technology," the center said. As there is still extra fuel onboard, the satellite will continue its flight for additional scientific experiments. This photo, captured by a small monitoring satellite six seconds after being released from the spaceship on September 27th, 2008, was released by China's manned space project on October 5th, 2008, and shows the Shenzhou-7 spaceship. The accompanying satellite was adjusted 13 times through engine ignitions in order to focus on the orbital module of Shenzhou-7. The center said the accompanying satellite has being flying around the orbital module in an elliptical circle, with the farthest distance of 7.6 kilometers and the nearest of 3.8 kilometers. The satellite has sent back thousands of high-quality pictures of the orbital module, which were captured by its two onboard cameras. China successfully launched the Shenzhou-7 spacecraft on September 25th last year, making China the third country in the world to conduct extravehicular activity (EVA) in space.