China to start astronaut training for Shenzhou VI
( 2004-02-02 17:02) (Xinhua)
China's astronaut team is to start training in March for the nation's second
manned space flight on Shenzhou VI, reported the Beijing Youth Daily on Monday.
The 14 astronauts have been resting since Yang Liwei, a member of the team,
completed China's first manned space flight in October last year. They have done
only light physical training andreviewed flight operations.
The training for Shenzhou VI would be mainly based on the training courses of
Shenzhou V, said Huang Weifen, director in charge of selection and training of
astronauts in China. However, some changes would be made as two astronauts were
expected to fly in Shenzhou VI, the Beijing Youth Daily quoted Huang as saying.
The 14 astronauts, including Yang Liwei, will be divided into seven pairs
according to their characteristics and cooperation. Three pairs will form a new
team for China's second manned space flight and, finally one pair will fly
Shenzhou VI.
China has made plans to select and train new astronauts as the 14 astronauts
are all over 30. The selection would be conducted intwo or three years, said the
newspaper.
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