 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
China's Future Astronauts Will Be Scientists
Beijing (XNA) Dec 05, 2008 China will select future astronauts from the ranks of scientists rather than military pilots, a top-level engineer for the country's manned space program said here on Thursday. "China's manned space project will start setting up space laboratories and stations after 2012, and by that time scientists will be needed for a large number of experiments in space," said Zhang Jianqi, deputy chief commander of China's manned space project. Scientists from the two Special Administrative Regions (SAR), Hong Kong and Macao, can compete to be astronauts, according to Zhang. So far, most Chinese astronauts have been former People's Liberation Army pilots. China plans to launch the Shenzhou-8, Shenzhou-9 and Shenzhou-10 missions before 2012. The three missions are expected to solve the problem of spacecraft rendezvous and docking and prepare for the establishment of space labs, according to Zhang. Zhang also said scientists and engineers, including those from Hong Kong and Macao, could apply for carrying out experiments on Shenzhou-8 as the unmanned spacecraft still had the space for more experiments. A delegation to Hong Kong and Macao, led by Zhang, is scheduled to start a six-day visit on Friday. The delegation includes three Shenzhou-7 astronauts - Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng - and Zhou Jianping, chief designer of the manned space project. The delegation is scheduled to meet local people to share the mainland's space accomplishment. An exhibit on the Shenzhou-7 voyage will also be held in Hong Kong and Macao. Delegations from the Shenzhou-5 and Shenzhou-6 missions, which took place in 2003 and 2005, have also been invited by the SAR governments to pay visits.
Source: Xinhua News Agency Related Links the missing link The Chinese Space Program - News, Policy and Technology China News from SinoDaily.com
China Launches Remote Sensing Satellite
Jiuquan, China (XNA) Dec 02, 2008China launched a new remote sensing satellite "Yaogan IV" on Monday at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern Gansu Province. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright Space.TV Corporation. 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 Space.TV Corp on any Web page published or hosted by Space.TV Corp. Privacy Statement |
