BEIJING - CHINA is set to take its capabilities in space to the next level after the Shenzhou VII spacecraft lifted off successfully last night, carrying three astronauts who would attempt the country's first space walk.

Trio on the Shenzhou VII ZHAI ZHIGANG Born in October 1966 to a poor family in north-east Heilongjiang province. He is described as introverted and loyal. One of six children, he worked after school to help his mother support the family as his father was bedridden. ... more

Coming five years after sending its first astronaut into space, China's third manned space flight is seen as critical to future plans.

For one thing, two of the three astronauts will be testing China's first indigenous space suit in space for the first time. The Chinese suit weighs a hefty 120kg and costs about US$4.4 million (S$6.26 million) each. The third astronaut will wear a Russian-made space suit.

In a simple send-off ceremony for astronauts Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming, and Jing Haipeng, President Hu Jintao said: 'You will be wearing a space suit invented by our country for your first space walk. This will be a major leap for our space technology.'

The crucial mission got off to a smooth start yesterday, with the reliable Long March II-F carrier rocket igniting at 9.10pm sharp, steadily carrying the spacecraft.

China's mission control has set two possible windows for the space walk - between 4.30pm and 6pm on Saturday, or between 3pm and 4.30pm on Sunday. This all-important task will likely go to Mr Zhai, the most experienced of the three.

But much will depend on his physical condition for the day. The other two astronauts have been similarly trained to perform the space walk should Mr Zhai's condition prove less than ideal.

To keep the trio in ship shape, the official Xinhua news agency said they will consume special 'space heart-nourishing capsules' made from traditional Chinese medicine during their three to five day mission. Chinese astronauts have taken such pills in the past, but never during a space flight.

The decision to have the astronauts consume the pills in space this time is largely due to the timings of the mission, Xinhua said, adding: 'Due to the limited number of days in space, the space walk has been scheduled for the second day, which coincides with the peak period for motion sickness in space.'

But the astronauts can likely overcome that by taking the space pills with some water, according to Dr Li Yongzhi, director of the medical department of the China Astronaut Research and Training Centre.

She was quoted in Xinhua: 'The medicine will boost their physical condition and improve their adaptability in an extreme environment.'

To lift the astronauts' spirits, nutritionists have prepared nearly 80 types of special meals, including a pre-packed version of kung pao chicken that promises to look and taste just like the Chinese dish.

With just days to go before China's National Day on Oct 1, a successful space mission is expected to take national pride to a new high, in much the same way that the successful Beijing Olympics did.

Mr Li Yong, a translator, however said the space mission imbued him with a stronger sense of pride.

He added: 'Many countries have hosted the Olympics, but only a few have been able to conduct manned space missions.'

chinhon@sph.com.sg

Additional reporting by Lina Miao