CMSA Announces 10 Candidates for China’s Space Program

Xinhua/APP

Beijing: China’s fourth batch of astronauts has been announced by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), comprising ten candidates, among whom are eight space pilots and two payload specialists.

Notably, one payload specialist hails from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, while the other originates from the Macao Special Administrative Region.

This marks the first time individuals from Hong Kong and Macao have been selected as payload specialists, a decision that has garnered significant local support and participation.

These selected candidates will undergo comprehensive and systematic training at the China Astronaut Research and Training Center. The selection process for the fourth batch of Chinese astronaut candidates commenced in the latter half of 2022.

Since China initially selected 14 astronauts from air force pilots in 1998, followed by an additional seven in 2010, and then completing the selection of the third batch of 18 astronauts in 2020, the CMSA notes the increasing sophistication and solid establishment of China’s astronaut selection and training system.

Furthermore, as international cooperation in crewed space exploration advances, the CMSA intends to invite foreign astronauts to participate in the selection and training process, eventually enabling them to undertake missions in China’s space station.