China News Service Beijing, October 2 (Ma Shuaisha) According to the China Manned Space Engineering Office October 2, in order to meet the needs of the follow-up flight mission of the manned space engineering, the selection of China's fourth batch of preparatory astronauts has been launched recently. 12 to 14 preparatory astronauts will be selected, which is expected to be completed in about one and a half years, and payload experts will be selected in Hong Kong and Macao for the first time.
A total of 12 to 14 preparatory astronauts were selected this time, including 7 to 8 space pilots, space flight engineer and payload experts, including about 2 payload experts. Aerospace pilots are selected among active pilots of the Army, Navy and Air Forces, aerospace flight engineers are selected among scientific research and engineering technicians engaged in aerospace engineering and related fields, and payload experts are selected among scientific researchers engaged in space scientific research and application-related fields.
It is understood that space pilots and space flight engineers are mainly responsible for directly manipulating, managing spacecraft, and conducting related technical tests. Load experts are mainly responsible for the on-orbit operation of space science experimental loads.
This preparatory astronaut selection was organized and implemented by the China Manned Space Engineering Office. It is expected to be completed in about one and a half years, and the first time to select payload experts in Hong Kong and Macao.
It is reported that the selection of the third batch of preparatory astronauts in China was launched in May 2018. After three stages of primary selection, re-selection and final selection, a total of 18 preparatory astronauts were finally selected, including 7 space pilots, 7 space flight engineers and 4 payload experts. After systematic training, they will participate in various flight missions in the space station operation stage. (End)
