China plans space station by 2020 ... with female crew
Source: Xinhua/Shanghai Daily |
October 28, 2010, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA has begun its manned space station program and aims to complete a "relatively large" manned space laboratory by around 2020, a spokesman for the project said.
The program will be implemented in two phases, beginning with the development of a space laboratory, and followed by the space station itself.
China aims to develop and launch the first part of the space laboratory before 2016, focusing on living conditions for astronauts and research, the spokesman for the national manned space program said yesterday.
It will then develop and launch a core cabin module and another laboratory module by around 2020. These would be assembled in orbit into a manned space station, he said.
"Technologies needed to build and run the space station complex and long-term manned space flight will be developed," the spokesman said.
He said the project would build on the achievements of earlier space exploration and continue to use the Shenzhou spacecraft and Long March 2F carrier rocket and their launch and landing sites.
"After the construction of the space station, China's three-step manned space program will be complete," he said.
The three-step strategy involved first developing the Shenzhou spaceship, and then technologies needed for docking and spacewalking - currently underway - and finally, construction of the space station.
China plans to launch two unmanned space modules, Tiangong-1 and Shenzhou-8, in 2011, which are expected to accomplish the country's first space docking.
Tiangong-1, or Heavenly Palace, an 8-ton "target vehicle," will eventually be transformed into a manned space laboratory after experimental dockings with Shenzhou-8, Shenzhou-9 and Shenzhou-10 spacecraft, with the last two each carrying two or three astronauts. Tiangong-1 is scheduled to dock with Shenzhou-10 by 2013, ahead of the launch of the Tiangong-2 and 3 modules.
Meanwhile, China is set to have its first female space explorers after two young mothers were among seven pilots chosen to become the country's next generation of astronauts. They are all pilots with the People's Liberation Army Air Force.
The two women are seasoned transport pilots in their 30s who have taken part in numerous rescue missions and war games, according to the People's Daily. The five male astronauts are fighter pilots.
The new generation of astronauts will have completed their five-year training by the time China starts to build its first manned space station.
The program will be implemented in two phases, beginning with the development of a space laboratory, and followed by the space station itself.
China aims to develop and launch the first part of the space laboratory before 2016, focusing on living conditions for astronauts and research, the spokesman for the national manned space program said yesterday.
It will then develop and launch a core cabin module and another laboratory module by around 2020. These would be assembled in orbit into a manned space station, he said.
"Technologies needed to build and run the space station complex and long-term manned space flight will be developed," the spokesman said.
He said the project would build on the achievements of earlier space exploration and continue to use the Shenzhou spacecraft and Long March 2F carrier rocket and their launch and landing sites.
"After the construction of the space station, China's three-step manned space program will be complete," he said.
The three-step strategy involved first developing the Shenzhou spaceship, and then technologies needed for docking and spacewalking - currently underway - and finally, construction of the space station.
China plans to launch two unmanned space modules, Tiangong-1 and Shenzhou-8, in 2011, which are expected to accomplish the country's first space docking.
Tiangong-1, or Heavenly Palace, an 8-ton "target vehicle," will eventually be transformed into a manned space laboratory after experimental dockings with Shenzhou-8, Shenzhou-9 and Shenzhou-10 spacecraft, with the last two each carrying two or three astronauts. Tiangong-1 is scheduled to dock with Shenzhou-10 by 2013, ahead of the launch of the Tiangong-2 and 3 modules.
Meanwhile, China is set to have its first female space explorers after two young mothers were among seven pilots chosen to become the country's next generation of astronauts. They are all pilots with the People's Liberation Army Air Force.
The two women are seasoned transport pilots in their 30s who have taken part in numerous rescue missions and war games, according to the People's Daily. The five male astronauts are fighter pilots.
The new generation of astronauts will have completed their five-year training by the time China starts to build its first manned space station.
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