The "Long March 2F" rocket, which lifted China's first manned spacecraft Shenzhou V into orbit earlier this month, would be powerful enough to carry at least two astronauts, Zhang Baokun said according to the China News Service.

"Shenzhou VI may carry two astronauts," Zhang was quoted as saying. "Given the capacity of the Shenzhou V rocket, it will be able to lift off with two or three astronauts, and there is no need to add extra power."

China said after its first manned space launch earlier this month that the next Shenzhou mission would take place in one or two years.

SPACE.WIRE