With the aim of having a greater presence in space, the Asian country seeks to send three astronauts to the space station that is located more than 350 kilometers from Earth.
The Tiangong Space Station -you receive up to three taikonauts (Chinese astronauts) per year – is 20 meters long and weighs about 100 tons, and was launched just over 2 years. In search of strengthen your presence there, and also in the Moon and Marsare in the middle of the project International Lunar Research Station (ILRS)in which foreign astronauts will be recruited.
However, in addition to the usual requirements that must be met to dedicate yourself to this profession, the Chinese Station establishes three extra keys for those who want to try themselves and work there.
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The requirements to be a Chinese astronaut
Evaluations
Huang Weifendeputy chief designer of the astronaut system of China’s manned space program, explained that the evaluations they will be physical, mental and specialwith an approach that aims at experience, the age, he individual characterhe physical performance and the mental health.
It also evaluates the synergy either compatibility between the different members. “There are about 43 aspects including age, height, education and professional background in the basic assessment alone,” Huang said.
Speak “naturally” Chinese
On the other hand, Chen Shanguangdeputy director of space program planning, indicated that it is a key requirement to speak “naturally” Chinesesince it is the working language from the Chinese Space Station.
“We also hope that foreign candidates can acquire some knowledge about chinese culture, because they will be aboard a Chinese Space Station. Furthermore, we hope that the cultural exchange between foreign and Chinese astronauts help in their flight,” he stated.
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Pass training
“It is incredibly difficult to become a taikonaut,” Weifen said. “There are more than 120 clauses for selectionand the training is unbearable“, he claimed.
An example of this training was when the taikonauts of the Shenzhou-12 mission were left underwater four hours to mimic the microgravity environment, with Space suits of more than 200 kilograms.
In addition, those who want to apply must pass the 8G criterionwhich means being able to endure eight times the force of gravity of your own body weight. Added to this are training sessions extreme vibrationto adapt to launches or reentries.
Source: Ambito
