China Ready for First Space Walk

Following successful space excursions in 2003 and 2005, China is now ready to launch its first mission including a space walk this week. This will bring China one step closer to its goal of a small, temporary space laboratory in 2010, and then a large, permanent space station in 2020. This mission will also mark the first time China will send three astronauts (or "taikonauts") into space at once, and the first time a Chinese-designed spacesuit will be used (although one of the typical Russion-designed suits will be brought along as a backup).