Shenzhou VII is expected to be lifted-off within the next two years, Qi Faren, former chief designer of the Shenzhou VII spacecraft, told reporters at the ongoing 6th International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in the city of Zhuhai in south China's Guangdong province on Wednesday.

Qi Faren from the China Spaceflight Science and Technology Corp., said the progress of the Shenzhou VII should be termed as very smooth and proceeding as scheduled. The general assembly has set off, with sets of equipment from all sectors having been pooled and transmitted to the Aerospace City for assembling, he added.

Compared with a multi-day mission of Shenzhou VI manned with two astronauts, Qi acknowledged Shenzhou VII will carry three astronauts who are also to perform a spacewalk, and that plans are also under way for the launch of Shenzhou VIII, Shenzhou IX and Shenzhou X following the mission of Shenzhou VII.

By People's Daily Online