China's woman astronaut ready by 2010
(Shenzhen Daily)
Updated: 2004-06-15 08:43

China hopes to send its first female astronaut into space by 2010, newspapers reported Monday, citing the Science Exploring magazine.

She would work as a researcher on a Chinese space station, the reports said. However, the pilots of China's spacecraft would still be men.

China launched its first manned space mission last October. It plans to send two astronauts on its second manned mission late next year. A space station is also planned.

China plans to select women astronauts in late 2005 or 2006 from women aged between 25 and 45, the report said, quoting an official in charge of the selection work.

The government said in March that it would recruit women as astronauts after lobbying by the All-China Women's Federation.

Hundreds of Chinese women have flown for China's air force and civilian airlines.

The United States and Russia are the only other countries that have sent manned spacecraft into orbit, and both have sent women into space.

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