The Shenzhou-7 spaceship will carry Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng, all aged 42, for China's third manned space mission that will include the country's first-ever space walk, an official said on Wednesday.

Chen Shanguang, director with the Astronaut Center of China (ACC) released the identities of the three taikonauts at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

The Shenzhou-7 spaceship is due to blast off on a Long March II-F rocket on Thursday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gansu Province. The launch window was set between 9:07 PM to 10:27 PM (Beijing Time).

Chen did not say which two of the three-man crew would carry out the country's first extravehicular activities.

Zhai Zhigang told the press conference that "the Shenzhou-7 mission marks a historic breakthrough in China's manned space program. It is a great honor for all three of us to fly the mission, and we are fully prepared for the challenge," he said.

Liu Boming said ten years of working, studying and training together has contributed to the smooth cooperation among the trio.

According to Liu, only one taikonaut will perform the space walk assisted by a second taikonaut in the orbit module. The third astronaut will remain in the re-entry module during the whole process of the space walk.

"We will support and cooperate with each other during the mission to make sure it ends with a success," he said.

Jing Haipeng also said the trio are confident, and capable of making "Chinese astronauts' first step in the space."

Zhai Zhigang

Zhai Zhigang, 42, was born in Longjiang County, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang Province. Zhai enrolled at the People's Liberation Army Air Force Aviation Institute and studied to be a fighter pilot. In his service as a PLAAF fighter pilot he had accumulated 950 hours of safe flight time.

He was one of three astronauts who were part of the final group to train for the Shenzhou 5 flight in 2003. Yang Liwei was picked for the flight, with Zhai Zhigang ranked second ahead of Nie Haisheng. Zhai was also one of the six astronauts in the final training for Shenzhou 6 mission in 2005 during which Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng flew the flight.

Jing Haipeng

Jing Haipeng, 42, was born in Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province. Jing joined the People's Liberation Army in 1985 and has clocked 1,200 hours of safe flight time. Jing was among the six trainees in for the Shenzhou 6 mission in 2005.

Liu Boming

Liu Boming, 42, was born in Yi'an County, Heilongjiang Province. Liu joined the People's Liberation Army in 1985 and has clocked 1,050 hours of safe flight time. Liu was also one of the six astronauts in the final training for Shenzhou 6 mission in 2005.

(Xinhua News Agency September 24, 2008)