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China recruits six new astronauts for space missions in 2023
CGTN
Models of Chinese space suits are displayed at an exhibition in Beijing, China, February 24, 2023. /CGTN
Models of Chinese space suits are displayed at an exhibition in Beijing, China, February 24, 2023. /CGTN

Models of Chinese space suits are displayed at an exhibition in Beijing, China, February 24, 2023. /CGTN

China has recruited six astronauts for two spaceflight missions in 2023, said China's first space traveler, Yang Liwei, also deputy chief designer of China's manned space program, in an interview with the China Media Group recently.

The country has sent 16 astronauts in 10 crews into space since Yang made his flight in October 2003.

China's space station was completed at the end of last year and has since entered the operation period, which will welcome regular spacecraft flights, according to Yang.

There will be two crews of six astronauts to fly to the space station this year, and each crew will complete a six-month mission in orbit.

"We developed a selection program. Before the start of a spaceflight mission, we will select the crew members one or one and a half years in advance, including the astronauts who will perform the mission and those in the backup crew," he said.

Read more: China to launch 2 crewed missions each year

Astronauts from more diversified backgrounds

The tasks for Chinese astronauts will also become more and more diversified, so the reserve astronauts will be selected from candidates with more diversified backgrounds, according to Yang.

"Our first batch of astronauts were all pilots from the air force, and now the astronauts can come from universities and research institutions like the Chinese Academy of Sciences. People from all walks of life are eligible for selection," Yang said.

"The selection of our fourth batch of astronauts will also be open to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR)," he added.

"In terms of occupations, drivers, engineers and payload specialists all have the chance to be astronauts. So far, our standards and training rules and regulations have become mature." 

Read more: China's Hong Kong selects 40 payload specialist candidates for the country's space missions

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