What a great time to be Chinese. First came the overwhelming success of their impressive Olympic presentation, and just a moon later they're ready to take another step into taikong (the Chinese word for "space" or "cosmos"). Actually they plan not one but several steps, most already trod in the history of human spaceflight, as Shenzhou 7 is scheduled to launch tomorrow. This, the most ambitious Chinese effort to date, aims to advance their experience of critical objectives like EVA, orbital satellite launch, and (just to lighten things up) recycling their drinking water from well, you can probably guess where.

For the first time in their space program this vessel should carry three taikonauts to orbit. (I understand a better term for Chinese astronauts is "Yuhangyuan" but that term lacks the colloquial poetry shared with "astronaut" and "cosmonaut." No offense intended!) The crew announced on September 17 features commander Zhai Zhigang accompanied by Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng. The veteran backup crew includes Chen Quan, commander Fei Junlong, and Nie Haisheng.

The highlight of the mission is undoubtedly the EVA to be carried out by Zhai Zhigang. The approximately hour-long EVA is to be performed using the new Chinese-designed "Feitian" space suit (reported cost: $20M), certainly colorful enough and hopefully soon proved practical also. The EVA will be assisted by another crewmember in the space-tested Russian Orlan-M suit. Goals for the EVA are modest, mostly to prove viability and recover exposed material samples.

Later in the mission, assuming all goes well they will release an unnamed "subsatellite," a 40kg/40cm diameter functional satellite that will photograph Shenzhou before relocating several kilometers away. It will serve to test Chinese technology for subsequent missions, priming their program for docking maneuvers. And all space-o-nuts should be encouraged by the response of the Shenzhou crew to a reporter's question, namely that they are "eager to fly and work" with their international colleagues serving aboard ISS in the future. That will be a great day!

As I wrote here before, when it comes to space exploration the more the better. This is not a competition against each other, space is enormously hostile and we're all in this (big blue marbly) boat together. China may be set on a near-breakneck pace to catch up, which may or may not be the best approach, but one has to admire their gumption. Godspeed to the crew of Shenzhou 7, and may they have a spectacular launch, succeed in all aspects of their mission, and enjoy a safe return home.