The selection of the third batch of reserve astronauts for my country's manned space project was successfully completed
According to China’s Manned Space Engineering Office, the selection of the third batch of preliminary astronauts for my country’s manned space project ended a few days ago. A total of 18 preliminary astronauts (including 1 female) were finally selected, including 7 astronauts and 7 aerospace pilots. Flight engineers and four load experts will become new members of our astronaut team and embark on a new journey to build a space power nation and continue the dream of flying.
In order to meet the needs of my country's space station engineering missions, the third batch of reserve astronauts added two categories of space flight engineers and load specialists based on space pilots.
Among them, aerospace pilots and aerospace flight engineers are mainly responsible for directly controlling and managing the spacecraft, as well as conducting related technical tests.
Load experts are mainly responsible for the on-orbit operation of space science experimental loads.
Aerospace pilots are selected from the active service pilots of the Air Force, aerospace flight engineers are selected from engineering and technical personnel engaged in aerospace engineering and related fields, and load experts are selected from scientific researchers in the field of manned aerospace engineering and space science research and application.
The selection of the third batch of reserve astronauts was launched in May 2018, and went through three stages: primary selection, re-election, and final selection.
Eighteen qualified astronauts are selected from about 2500 candidates. After systematic training, they will participate in various missions during the operation phase of the space station.
Through the selection of the third batch of reserve astronauts, the continuous improvement of my country's astronaut team system has laid an important foundation for the long-term construction of my country's astronaut team and the follow-up development of the space station project.
With the continuous development of my country's manned space industry, the selection of subsequent batches of astronauts will be carried out in due course.
(CCTV reporter Xiao Jianjun and Deng Meng)