China readies manned space shot

Beijing -- Support crews Wednesday fueled up the rocket that will launch China's third manned spacecraft into orbit, a space agency spokesman said.

The fueling process was expected to take seven hours, Xinhua reported.

Shenzhou-7 is to take off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China Thursday night, the state-run news agency said.

Three astronauts -- called taikonauts in China -- will be on board.

Among the tasks to be attempted by Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng will be the first space walk ever by Chinese spacemen, said spokesman Wang Zhaoyao, who called it "a big leap" for the program.

Their mission also will include the release of a small monitoring satellite and data relay, Wang said.

Shenzhou-7 will be launched on a Long-March II-F carrier rocket.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.