China Selects 10 New Astronauts for Missions to LEO and The Moon

The China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) has announced the selection of 10 new astronauts as part of its fourth batch, aiming to bolster its spaceflight capabilities for future missions, including potential crewed lunar landings.

This new cohort consists of eight pilots and two payload specialists, the latter marking the first time astronauts have been selected from Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions. These astronauts will now undergo systematic training at the Astronaut Center of China (ACC). Upon completing two years of basic training, they will be eligible for flights to the Tiangong space station.

Selection Process and Historical Context

China began recruiting its fourth batch of astronauts in October 2022. The selection process was rigorous, involving preliminary selection, re-selection, and final selection phases. These phases included comprehensive and in-depth clinical medical examinations, physiological and psychological tests, and endurance and adaptability to the space environment tests.

Since its inception, CMSEO has been methodically expanding its astronaut corps. In 1998, the first batch of 14 astronauts, selected from air force pilots, included Yang Liwei, who became the first Chinese national to reach orbit in 2003.

A second selection in 2010 added seven more astronauts, including China’s first female astronauts. The third round in 2020 saw the inclusion of 18 new astronauts, incorporating space pilots, flight engineers, and payload specialists for the first time.

Astronauts from the third selection round are currently active. Notably, Tang Shengjie and Jiang Xinlin, part of the Shenzhou-18 mission, are from this cohort.

Secrecy and Gender Representation

CMSEO, which operates under the People’s Liberation Army, has not disclosed the identities or gender ratio of the new astronauts. The 2020 selection included just one woman. However, according to the South China Morning Post, one of the payload specialists from the fourth batch is a woman from Hong Kong.

China's human spaceflight activities maintain a level of secrecy. CMSEO typically reveals the identities of crew members for Shenzhou missions to Tiangong only via press conferences held a day ahead of the launch.

International Cooperation and Lunar Ambitions

The CMSEO has reiterated its intention to send international astronauts to the Tiangong space station.

"Astronaut selection and training system has become more mature and complete. With the deepening of international cooperation in human space flight, foreign astronauts will also participate in the selection and training and carry out Chinese space station flight missions,” - CMSEO

Despite this, the agency has not specified a timeline or the nationalities of potential foreign astronauts. The European Space Agency, previously a potential partner, is no longer considering sending its astronauts to Tiangong.

Looking beyond low Earth orbit, China aims to land astronauts on the moon before 2030, reflecting its growing human spaceflight ambitions. Huang Weifen, chief designer of the astronaut system for China’s human spaceflight program has confirmed lunar landing mission training simulator is in development to facilitate relevant training; and that the ACC is focusing on tasks related to the space station and future lunar missions. This includes geology-related courses, field training, and site surveys.

China’s initial crewed lunar landing plan involves a short-term mission, but the nation is preparing for the establishment of the China led International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) for a sustained presence. Additionally, there are plans to expand the Tiangong space station with further modules, offering more opportunities for spaceflight and research.