Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. [File photo: Xinhua]

A Long March 2F rocket designed to carry China's third manned spacecraft into orbit was sent to a launch site in Gansu Province this morning.

Shenzhou V and Shenzhou VI were both launched at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. [File photo: Xinhua]

Experts scheduled to examine the spacecraft's seven major systems have arrived at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center and preparations for the October launch are going smoothly, Xinhuanet.com said today.

The special train carrying the Long March 2F rocket and about 80 technicians reached Jiuquan last night after traveling for three days.

Compared with Shenzhou VI, China's second manned space mission with a crew of two, Shenzhou VII has more stringent technological requirements as one of its three astronauts is scheduled to perform the country's first ever space walk. With this in mind, scientists have made 36 technological improvements to Shenzhou VII.

The improvements include better seats for the astronauts, remote testing devices and more cameras so the spacecraft can be supervised more closely.

After its arrival at the launch site, the rocket was safely unloaded and transported to a special preparatory room for further testing on every component, the report said.

Rocket docking and propeller binding is scheduled to take place in a few days. The technicians will conduct many tests and checks before attaching it to Shenzhou VII.

Ongoing tests include checking the power supply to the spacecraft, the report said.

(Shanghai Daily August 5, 2008)