Illusion image of China's Shenzhou VII's space walk. [Photo: enorth.com.cn]

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China is to launch its third manned spacecraft, Shenzhou VII, next October with three astronauts and will carry out China's first spacewalks during the mission.

The Oriental Morning Post earlier reported that researcher Pang Zhihao from China Academy of Space Technology disclosed the information recently, saying the spacewalks will also be broadcast live then.

Pang Zhihou predicted that Chinese astronauts will carry out their spacewalks with straps which will supply oxygen and serve as the communications link between the astronauts and the spaceship.

He said the straps will give safety support to the astronauts. Russia's earlier spacewalks also chose to work with straps while the United States finished their spacewalks without them.

The maximum distance of spacewalk with straps is 5 meters, while spacewalk without straps can extend to 100 meters. But so far, the record distance of free spacewalks is 30 meters.

Free spacewalks will need two astronauts to help each other, in case of any accidents.