. 24/7 Space News .
China Prepares To Select New Taikonauts

"In previous selections, physical constitution was very important," said Yang Liwei. "However, with the improvement of our spacecraft and better understanding of space flight after the manned space missions of Shenzhou V and Shenzhou VI, we now care more about the overall quality of astronauts.
by Staff Writers
Beijing, China (Xinhua) Jul 19, 2007
China's first taikonaut, or Chinese astronaut, in space Yang Liwei says the country is preparing to select a new intake of well-rounded and well-educated potential spacemen from its air force. China has a 14-strong astronaut team. Yang, one of the team and also deputy director of the China Astronaut Research and Training Center, said the number of new trainees will be no more than 14. "The preparation for the selection has begun, and the selection may begin soon, but we have no plans to select woman astronauts yet," said Yang.

China began to select the first group of astronauts in the 1990s for its manned space program. The criteria cover health, education and training. Thousands of candidates participated, but only 14 remained after all the tests.

However, the successful candidates cannot be called real astronauts before completing the training that can last three to four years.

"The first group of astronauts has been trained for more than 10 years," said Shen Xingyun, head of the astronaut team.

"I believe a good astronaut should be both physically and psychologically healthy, but also should have strong faith, a perfect mastery of technology and have a well-rounded character," said Shen.

"After the intense training, the 14 astronauts perform even better than before from the physical and technical point of view," said Yang.

"We will focus more in future training on expanding their knowledge and improving their communication skills, and their performances will be considered in choosing the crew for the Shenzhou VII mission in 2008 and later space missions," said Yang.

"In previous selections, physical constitution was very important," said Yang. "However, with the improvement of our spacecraft and better understanding of space flight after the manned space missions of Shenzhou V and Shenzhou VI, we now care more about the overall quality of astronauts.

"We have met many astronauts from other countries and realize an astronaut needs to know more besides astronautics, like natura land social sciences, because an astronaut will not only undertake space missions, but also social responsibilities, like popularizing space science," said Yang.

Yang's center has been working with the Aerospace School of the Beijing-based Tsinghua University since 2006 to provide master-degree training for the astronauts.

"New courses includes the Law of Space, the History of Aviation and others on astronomy and geography," said Yang.

In addition, the center has held courses on art and literature and government spokespersons, such as Qin Gang and Liu Jianchao from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have been invited to pass on their skills on dealing with media and public.

China launched its manned space program in 1999 and it successfully launched astronaut Yang Liwei into orbit in 2003, becoming the third country after the Soviet Union and the United States to put a man in space.

Its second manned spacecraft, Shenzhou VI, was launched in October 2005 and completed a five-day flight with two astronauts Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng carrying out space-based experiments.

Shenzhou VII is expected to carry three astronauts on its mission in 2008. Yang said astronauts would perform work outside the capsule such as installing equipment and "tightening screws."

Source: Xinhua News Agency

Community
Email This Article
Comment On This Article

Related Links
The Chinese Space Program - News, Policy and Technology
China News from SinoDaily.com



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


Chinese Astronauts Begin Training For Spacewalk
Beijing, China (Xinhua) Jul 19, 2007
More than a year before China's third manned space mission, Chinese astronauts have begun training for their first spacewalk during the Shenzhou VII space flight mission. "As it's the first time that our astronauts will leave their capsule in space, the mission requires even higher physical, technical and psychological standards, so training is more intense than ever," said Yang Liwei, the first Chinese astronaut in space, who is also deputy director of the China Astronaut Research and Training Center.







  • Washington Conference To Examine Impact Of Civilian Space Travel On Culture And Economy
  • First Malaysian Astronaut To Take Off For Space Station October 10
  • Wyle To Prepare First Passengers For Virgin Galactic Maiden Spaceflight
  • Russia Launches Genesis 2 On Converted SS-18 ICBM Launcher

  • Layers Exposed In Crater Near Mawrth Vallis
  • Clay Studies Alter View Of Early Mars Environment
  • MDA Secures Role On Preparations For European Mars Rover Mission
  • Hunt For Life On Mars Goes Underground In New NASA Mission

  • Russian Space Firm Signs 14 Deals For Commercial Rocket Launches
  • Spaceway 3 Is Delivered To The Spaceport For Its Mid-August Ariane 5 Launch
  • Sea Launch To Resume Zenit Launches In October
  • Russia Proton-M Booster Puts US Satellite Into Orbit

  • NASA Awards Contract For Land-Imaging Instrument
  • GOP House Science Committee To Evaluate NASA Earth Science Budget
  • Subcommittee Continues Look At Status of NASA Earth Science Programs
  • QuikSCAT Marks Eight Years On-Orbit Watching Planet Earth

  • Charon: An Ice Machine In The Ultimate Deep Freeze
  • New Horizons Slips Into Electronic Slumber
  • Nap Before You Sleep For Your Cruise Into The Abyss Of Outer Sol
  • The Dwarf Planet Known As Eris Is More Massive Than Pluto

  • First Pulsar Detection With LOFAR Station
  • Astronomers Find The Most Distant Known Galaxies
  • The Gobbling Dwarf That Exploded
  • RCW 103: A Star With A Mystery Partner

  • Moonshine Can Reflect Lunar Composition
  • Northrop Grumman Helps NASA Shape Plans For Affordable Lunar Lander
  • Summer Moon Illusion
  • NASA Plans New Era Of Suitcase Sized Lunar Science

  • Helicopter Flight Trials For EGNOS
  • Boeing To Submit Proposal For Global Positioning System 3
  • Pseudo-Satellites Allow Accurate Navigation In Helsinki Harbour
  • Cooperation Agreement For Satellite Navigation In Africa

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement