Re-entry module of spaceship opened

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-10-02 09:41

Chinese scientists opened the re-entry module of the Shenzhou VII spacecraft on Wednesday and collected experimental samples and data inside.

Yang Baohua (left), president of the China Academy of Space Technology, takes the national flag which was waved in space by Zhai Zhigang, China's first spacewalker, from Ma Xingrui (center), president of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, during a ceremony to open the re-entry module of the Shenzhou VII spacecraft at the academy in Beijing. The flag and other materials will be preserved at the academy. [China Daily]

The module brought three astronauts safely back from China's third manned space mission Sunday and was transported by trains to its maker, the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), in Beijing on Tuesday.

"Experts will check the module's interior and exterior including the parachute, analyze their conditions and pick up the test sample of solid lubricant collected by the astronauts," said Shang Zhi, general director of the mission's spacecraft system.

According to him, the sample will be handed to the CAST for further studies along with the spaceship's other cargos .

Other materials in the module include the astronaut's extra vehicular activities (EVA) uniform gloves, the National Flag waved by Zhai Zhigang outside the spacecraft, a silk Chinese map, three ensigns of China's Red Army and some masterpieces of Chinese painting and seal-cutting.

In a symbolic move marking improved cross-Straits relations, a flashdisk containing greetings from people in the mainland and Taiwan will also be collected from the module in the presence of 14 Taiwan compatriots who joined a trip to witness the space mission in Beijing.