China's Fourth Batch of Reserve Astronauts Selected, to Include Hong Kong and Macau Specialists
TapTechNews June 11th, according to the China Manned Space Engineering Office, the selection process of the fourth batch of reserve astronauts for China's manned space program has recently ended, with a total of 10 reserve astronauts finally selected, including 8 spaceship pilots and 2 payload specialists (one payload specialist each from Hong Kong and Macau regions). In the future, they will enter the China Astronaut Research and Training Center to receive comprehensive and systematic training.
The selection of the fourth batch of reserve astronauts for China's manned space project started in the second half of 2022 in an all-round way and went through three stages: primary selection, re-selection and final selection. During this period, payload experts were selected for the first time面向 Hong Kong and Macau regions, and received strong support and enthusiastic participation from all sectors of Hong Kong and Macau society and the general public.
At present, China's astronaut selection and training system is more mature and perfect. With the in-depth advancement of international cooperation in manned spaceflight, foreign astronauts will also participate in the selection and training and carry out flight missions to the Chinese space station.
Lin Xiqiang, spokesperson of the China Manned Space Engineering and deputy director of the China Manned Space Engineering Office, once said that China has already had and prepared well to invite foreign astronauts to participate in the flight mission of the Chinese space station. China officially issues an invitation to all countries and regions dedicated to the peaceful use of outer space to participate in the flight mission of the Chinese space station together.
TapTechNews learned that last May, the first payload expert to enter space on China's space station, Gui Haichao, arrived. Gui Haichao is a professor at Beihang University, mainly responsible for the on-orbit operation of space science experiment payloads. He has received professional training and has rich operating experience in the fields of science and aerospace engineering. He was selected into the flight crew of Shenzhou 16.
