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The video grab taken at the Beijing Space Command and Control Center on Sept. 27, 2008 shows Chinese taikonaut Zhai Zhigang waving while walking out of the orbit module of the Shenzhou-7 spacecraft.
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Although enclosed in a bulky spacesuit with face covered, Chinese astronaut Zhai Zhigang is becoming a familiar figure to all Chinese as a history maker.
Zhai's 20-minute stay in outer space was witnessed by millions of Chinese on the earth through live broadcast on Saturday afternoon.
Struggling to open the door, waving to the camera mounted on the spaceship's service module, holding up the national flag, handing the test sample to his colleague and hobbling back to the module, his every move was taking the breath of those sitting anxiously in front of their TVs.
"As a man with China's manned space program, watching Zhai Zhigang walking in space is like a mother watching her tottering child," said Deng Yibing, chief engineer of the China Astronaut Research and Training Center. "Even though the steps were still a little bit staggering, I am so happy and satisfied."
In a phone conversation with Chinese President Hu Jintao two hours after his spacewalk, Zhai looked confident and radiant on the screen at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center.
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The video grab taken at the Beijing Space Command and Control Center on Sept. 27, 2008 shows Chinese taikonaut Zhai Zhigang working outside the orbit module of the Shenzhou-7 spacecraft during his spacewalk.
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"I felt superb," said Zhai. "The process of taking on the Feitian spacesuit went smooth. In the vast space, I felt proud of our motherland."
Later, he was seen lying back on his seat, chatting with his two colleagues with smiles on his face.
Despite bearing a highly risky task and great expectation from his countrymen, Zhai is going easy from the beginning.
On Wednesday when the three-member crew debuted at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, he said in front of the TV camera, "Physically, mentally and technically, we are well prepared. Motherland and compatriots, please trust us."
Zhai made a V sign during the launch and played with the manual after the successful blastoff. People also watched him skillfully unpacking and assembling the complicated spacesuit and training hard before the walk.
The confident and relaxed attitude came from long and tough training of a veteran air force pilot and astronaut.