Space program can push China to new heights

• Source: Global Times
• [21:58 March 16 2010]
• Comments

GT: Is it true that the new astronaut team includes two women?

Zhang: The first batch of astronauts was selected in 1994, and are now all in their 40s or older. We need a new team, and we've just finished building one. Five men and two women were selected to be new recruits. In the new space station, there will be more facilities to make better living conditions for astronauts, but we didn't lower the physical criteria needed to qualify for the women.

Both of the women are transport pilots from the air force. There was no difference in the selection standards, such as their physical conditions, flight hours, personal character, and so forth, but we did deliberately select married women with children. We hope their psychology is more mature.

GT: Will male and female astronauts carry out missions together?

Zhang: That is possible. The Shenzhou VIII spaceship will be unmanned. Whether the next mission, Shenzhou IX, carries astronauts or not will be decided by the performance of Shenzhou VIII.

But these spaceships are well prepared to carry passengers, so it is likely male and female astronauts will be on the same trip. Now these two female candidates are receiving training. This process will last about 3 or 4 years.

GT: Are we cooperating with other countries? The International Space Station is nearing the end of its lifespan, and both the US and Russia are looking for other options. Will they be using the space station we build?

Zhang: The peaceful utilization of outer space is an important platform for human cooperation. We cannot avoid this in international society. Shenzhou VIII will carry a bioscience experiment, which comes from the European Space Agency.

I think there must be a lot of cooperation after China's space station was built. This project is open to all people and countries. You will see scientists from various countries conducting their research in the new space station.

The US-based Space Foundation gave an award to the astronauts of Shenzhou VII.

Cooperation with the European Space Agency and its Russian counterpart is also still going on. The space program has become a stage for the connections between China and the world.