China plans to launch an unmanned space module, Tiangong 1, in 2011, said Qi Faren, the chief designer of China's Shenzhou spacecraft, at the sidelines of the annual plenary session of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country's top political advisory body, on March 3.
Tiangong, or the Heavenly Palace, will eventually be transformed into a manned space laboratory after experimental dockings by the three Shenzhou spacecrafts—Shenzhou 8, Shenzhou 9 and Shenzhou 10, which are expected to be launched into space within two years of the module's launch, said Qi.
Qi said that Tiangong 1, which weighs approximately 8.5 tons, is expected to complete China's first space docking with Shenzhou 8 during the following year, and will perform long-term independent operations, which are regarded as an essential step toward building a space station.
The official website of China's manned space program, Cmse.gov.cn, says China is now in the second phase of a three-step plan that the nation has drafted for implementing its manned space program.
The first phase is sending astronauts into space, which was accomplished when China successfully launched its first astronaut, Yang Liwei, into space with Shenzhou 5 in 2003, said Zhang Jianqi, former Vice Commander in Chief of China's Manned Space Engineering Program.
The second phase is described by the official website as including the goals of launching spacecrafts with more than one astronaut, space walking, docking between spacecrafts and space modules, and launching short-term manned space laboratories.
The first two goals were achieved by the Shenzhou 6 and Shenzhou 7 spacecrafts separately in 2005 and 2008, said Zhang. The current focus is on the launch of Tiangong 1, and the docking of the three spaceships Shenzhou 8, Shenzhou 9 and Shenzhou 10 with Tiangong 1 following its launch.
Zhang said Tiangong 1 would be launched on a technologically-modified Long March 2-F carrier rocket.
Scientists have made nearly 170 technological modifications, including 38 major ones, to the original Long March 2-F model, he said.
Qi said clean propellants such as liquid oxygen and kerosene have replaced polluting elements in China's space programs.
Female astronauts
For the first time, China will select female astronauts to operate its manned space laboratories.
Zhang said seven Chinese astronauts, including two females, have been shortlisted for the country's space program.
The seven top-flight pilots were specially picked from 45 candidates, 30 male and 15 female, who are some of the finest pilots in the Chinese airforce. The candidates were divided into three groups, and underwent thorough physical examinations as well as psychological tests, said Zhang.
"During the selection process, we had almost the same requirements for female candidates as for male candidates, with the only difference was that they must be married, as we believe married women to be more physically and psychologically mature," he said.
He said women astronauts theoretically enjoy advantages over their male counterparts in terms of endurance and cautiousness.
Major Events of China's Space Program
October 8, 1956 An institute on missile and rocket research is set up, the first of the country.
July 19, 1964 A biological rocket carrying albino rats is launched successfully.
April 1, 1968 An institute for spaceflight-oriented medical engineering is set up.
April 24, 1970 The Dong Fang Hong 1 scientific experimental satellite lifts off aboard a Long March rocket.
November 26, 1975 The first recoverable satellite of the country is launched.
September 7, 1988 A meteorological satellite Feng Yun 1-A is launched.
April 7, 1990 The Long March CZ 3 sends AsiaSat 1 communication satellite into orbit, the start of the country's commercial launch service.
July 16, 1990 The Long March CZ 2-E is launched, a cluster carrier rocket.
November 20, 1999 The unmanned Shenzhou 1 spacecraft is launched.
January 10, 2001 The unmanned Shenzhou 2 spacecraft is launched.
March 25, 2002 The unmanned Shenzhou 3 spacecraft is launched.
December 30, 2002 The unmanned Shenzhou 4 spacecraft is launched.
October 15, 2003 The Shenzhou 5 blasts off into space, sending the country's first astronaut Yang Liwei into orbit.
October 12, 2005 The Shenzhou 6 is launched, sending two astronauts, Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng, into space.
October 24, 2007 The first unmanned lunar orbiter of the country, Chang'e 1, is launched.
September 25, 2008 The Shenzhou 7 blasts off, sending Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng into space. Zhai completes the country's first space walking on September 27, 2008.
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