Shenzhou at launch pad.

China's Xinhua (9/20) reported, "The Shenzhou-7 manned spaceship, the Long-March II-F rocket and the escape tower were vertically transferred to the launch pad at 3:15 p.m. on Saturday, marking the final stage of the preparation." According to the article, "The transfer lasted more than one hour and two check-ups were conducted." Another Xinhua (9/20) article reported, "Drinking water (about 2.5 kg for each of the three crew members), food, traditional Chinese medicine and other materials were put onboard the ship on Friday." Spaceflight Now (9/20, Clark) and CCTV (9/21) also covered the story.

        Next three shuttles to form space laboratory. China's Shanghai Daily (9/22, Chen) reports, "CHINA is expected to launch another three shuttles in 2010 to build a small laboratory in space, a leader of the country's space program has revealed." Shenzhou chief designer Qi Faren stated that "Shenzhou VIII and Shenzhou IX would be unmanned," and if they successfully connect, "Shenzhou X will blast off with astronauts heading for the outer-space laboratories."