Feitian space suit
Encyclopedia
A Feitian space suit is a Chinese
spacesuit that was developed for the Shenzhou 7
. Astronaut Zhai Zhigang
wore it during China's first-ever extra-vehicular activity
(EVA) on September 27, 2008.
The Feitian spacesuit was modelled after the Orlan-M spacesuit developed by Russia
. The two kinds of suits are similar in shape and volume and are designed for spacewalks of up to seven hours, providing oxygen and allowing for the excretion of bodily waste.
The suit is reported to have cost $4.4 million, and weighs 120 kg (264.6 lb). The name Fēi tiān literally and separately means "flying" and "sky" in Mandarin. It is a reference to the apsara
, translated as feitian, or the "flying deva", in Chinese, and most famously depicted in Chinese art in the grottoes of Dunhuang
. Images of the feitian from Dunhuang appear on the arm badge of the space suit.
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
spacesuit that was developed for the Shenzhou 7
Shenzhou 7
- Backup crew :Of the back-up crew, only Chen Quan had not previously flown in space.- Mission highlights :The Long March 2F rocket launched the Shenzhou 7 into an initial elliptical orbit of 200 x 330 kilometres inclined at 42.4 degrees on 25 September 2008. About seven hours later the spacecraft...
. Astronaut Zhai Zhigang
Zhai Zhigang
Zhai Zhigang is an officer in the People's Liberation Army Air Force and a CNSA astronaut. During the Shenzhou 7 mission in 2008, he became the first Chinese citizen to carry out a spacewalk.-Early career:...
wore it during China's first-ever extra-vehicular activity
Extra-vehicular activity
Extra-vehicular activity is work done by an astronaut away from the Earth, and outside of a spacecraft. The term most commonly applies to an EVA made outside a craft orbiting Earth , but also applies to an EVA made on the surface of the Moon...
(EVA) on September 27, 2008.
The Feitian spacesuit was modelled after the Orlan-M spacesuit developed by Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. The two kinds of suits are similar in shape and volume and are designed for spacewalks of up to seven hours, providing oxygen and allowing for the excretion of bodily waste.
The suit is reported to have cost $4.4 million, and weighs 120 kg (264.6 lb). The name Fēi tiān literally and separately means "flying" and "sky" in Mandarin. It is a reference to the apsara
Apsara
An Apsara , also known as Vidhya Dhari or Tep Apsar in Khmer, Accharā or A Bố Sa La Tư , Bidadari , Biradali , Widodari and Apson , is a female spirit of the clouds and waters in...
, translated as feitian, or the "flying deva", in Chinese, and most famously depicted in Chinese art in the grottoes of Dunhuang
Mogao Caves
The Mogao Caves or Mogao Grottoes , also known as the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas , form a system of 492 temples southeast of the center of Dunhuang, an oasis strategically located at a religious and cultural crossroads on the Silk Road, in Gansu province, China...
. Images of the feitian from Dunhuang appear on the arm badge of the space suit.
