The Chinese have brought forward the launch date of their third manned aircraft by a month. The Shenzhou-VII spacecraft was first scheduled for take off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu province at the end of October. It has now been rescheduled for take off between September 25 and September 301. Reports carried by China Daily and China.org.cn have identified the crew as Zhai Zhigang, a 42-year-old fighter pilot tipped to become China's first spacewalker, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng

• 1. “Optimal conditions set for spacewalk,” September 11, 2008, at http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90881/6498034.html