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China selects first two women astronauts
By Jane Chen |
March 10, 2010, Wednesday
|
Online Edition
Online Edition
TWO jet pilots have been selected as China's first female astronauts, and one may join their male peers on a space mission by 2012.
They were selected after training since last May, General Zhang Jianqi, former Minister of the People's Liberation Army general armament department, told China National Radio today.
The five male finalists are all fighter pilots, said Zhang who is in Beijing attending the annual session of the National People's Congress.
The women were selected by the same criteria as their male colleagues, though married candidates were preferred as they are considered to be calmer, Zhang added.
China plans to launch an unmanned space module, Tiangong-1, next year, an essential step in its goal of building a manned space lab, according to Zhang.
Tiangong, or the Heavenly Palace, would finally be transformed into a manned space lab after experimental dockings with three Shenzhou craft - expected within two years following the module's launch.
Zhang said Shenzhou-9 and Shenzhou-10 would carry two or three astronauts on each mission, and they may include women.
They were selected after training since last May, General Zhang Jianqi, former Minister of the People's Liberation Army general armament department, told China National Radio today.
The five male finalists are all fighter pilots, said Zhang who is in Beijing attending the annual session of the National People's Congress.
The women were selected by the same criteria as their male colleagues, though married candidates were preferred as they are considered to be calmer, Zhang added.
China plans to launch an unmanned space module, Tiangong-1, next year, an essential step in its goal of building a manned space lab, according to Zhang.
Tiangong, or the Heavenly Palace, would finally be transformed into a manned space lab after experimental dockings with three Shenzhou craft - expected within two years following the module's launch.
Zhang said Shenzhou-9 and Shenzhou-10 would carry two or three astronauts on each mission, and they may include women.
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