STEVE NICHOLS
China plans to send two astronauts on a five- to seven-day mission in 2005 and later build a space station, reports the Chinese state television CCTV.
Wang Yongzhi, chief designer of the nation's manned space programme, said preparations for the launch of the two-person Shenzhou VI craft were proceeding smoothly. The development follows last October's mission when solo astronaut Yang Liwei circled the Earth 14 times during a 21h trip aboard the Shenzhou V.
Wang told CCTV: "We will continue by launching Shenzhou VII, Shenzhou VIII and so on, carry out spacewalks, make space dockings and set up a space laboratory."
He said China would eventually launch a larger space station capable of carrying out more extensive experiments.
Earlier this month, the Xinhua news agency said that China's team of 14 trained astronauts had been placed in seven pairs to train for the next mission. Six of the astronauts will be finalists to fly it.
Xinhua added that China is preparing to select and train new astronauts as the current ones are all over the age of 30.
Source: Flight Daily News
