China Space Program: Astronauts begin comprehensive space station training

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China says it hopes to launch the core module of its space station by 2020. The Astronaut Center of China said on Friday it has already started preparing for the mission. CGTN's ZHENG CHUNYING has more on what it takes to be on board Chinese first space station.

The final step in China's human space project. The planned space station is expected to be about one-fifth the size of the International Space Station and the astronauts assigned to the mission have already begun their comprehensive space station training. This mission is different from others in many ways, most notably how the astronauts are determined.

HUANG WEIFEN DEPUTY CHIEF DESIGNER, ASTRONAUT CENTER OF CHINA "All the astronauts at the center have started to learn about space station technology, mechanical arm technology and medicine. They have also conducted underwater exercises to simulate a space walk and will take survival training in deserts."

Whilst previously they were chosen from a select group of pilots, now there are much stricter requirements.

HUANG WEIFEN, DEPUTY CHIEF DESIGNER ASTRONAUT CENTER OF CHINA "Now their selection is largely based on their scientific knowledge, as the scientific tasks are key to the mission. The astronauts will be selected from a broader group, such as university graduates or young scientists, who can serve as engineers and conduct technical tasks."

Sunday marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Astronaut Center of China. Since the human space project was initiated in 1992, it has trained 21 astronauts and developed more than four thousand space products. And now China is looking to see how its new platform can drive its ambitious space program into a new era. ZHENG CHUNYING, CGTN.