State owned media outlet China Daily has reported that Pang Zhihao, a researcher (so clearly a low level employee) with the country’s state owned China Academy of Space Technology space programme prime contractor, has specified October as the likely month during the previously stated year of 2008 for the superpower-to-be’s first spacewalk.
But readers of my blog will know I am sceptical of a 2008 EVA following my visit to China’s astronaut training center in Beijing in May.
For such a deeply political project such as manned spaceflight having a low level official keep this allegation of a 2008 spacewalk going is an easy way to then backtrack later with comments from a senior guy who is worth listening too.
What was more interesting about the China Daily article is the 2013 launch date for the country’s new “next generation” cryogenic engine propelled medium lift rockets that may operate from the proposed Hainan launch complex
Russia is in less of a rush to get its new Asia based launch complex up and running with a 2018 target date, according to RIA Novosti
And to round off, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has posted updates for its Kibo laboratory for the International Space Station and astronaut activities
