SPACE WIRE
China to scour high schools for women astronauts next year
BEIJING (AFP) Jul 28, 2004
China will start scouring high schools for its potential first woman astronaut next year, following a suggestion from the country's leading women's group, state media said Wednesday.

Huang Chunping, director of China's manned space program carrier rocket system, said they would be looking for candidates "with quality, especially physical qualities".

"They will first be trained in flying aircraft, and then in space flight technology," he was quoted as saying by the People's Daily.

"It is hoped that Chinese women can realize their space dream as soon as possible," he added.

China became only the third country to send a man into space last October, joining Russia and the United States in the elite club.

Its Shenzhou V spacecraft carrying former air force pilot Yang Liwei orbited Earth 14 times and returned safely.

Since then, the All-China Women's Federation, the largest quasi-governmental women's group, has lobbied for women astronauts.

Huang confirmed China is expected to launch its second manned spacecraft, Shenzhou VI, on a five-day mission in the second half of next year, with two astronauts on board.

However, it is unlikely one of them will be a woman.

Earlier state-run media reports said China planned to send its first woman into orbit by 2010.

The lucky winner would be put through a strenuous and demanding training regime before she blasts off, probably as a researcher or technician, the reports said.

The female astronaut will play a key role in China's plans to establish a permanent manned space station, they added.

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