CNR News, Beijing, May 23 - According to the China Manned Space Agency, the combination of the Shenzhou-16 manned spacecraft and the Long March 2F Yao-16 carrier rocket was transferred to the launch area on May 22, with plans for launch in the coming days.
Based on China's 2023 manned space mission list, following the launch of Shenzhou-16 this month, Shenzhou-17 is scheduled for launch in October. A notable highlight during this period is that the third batch of Chinese astronauts will make their debut on the space station, with flight engineers and payload specialists appearing for the first time in the Shenzhou-16 and Shenzhou-17 crews.
Third Batch of Reserve Astronauts Selected in 2020
On October 1, 2020, the China Manned Space Agency announced the completion of the selection process for the third batch of reserve astronauts for China's manned space program. A total of 18 reserve astronauts (including one female) were selected, comprising seven space pilots, seven spaceflight engineers, and four payload specialists, who will become new members of China's astronaut team.
To meet the needs of China's space station project, the third batch of reserve astronauts includes two new categories in addition to space pilots: spaceflight engineers and payload specialists. Space pilots and spaceflight engineers are primarily responsible for directly operating and managing spacecraft and conducting related technical tests, while payload specialists focus on in-orbit operations of space science experiment payloads.
Space pilots are selected from active-duty pilots in the Air Force, spaceflight engineers from engineering and technical personnel in aerospace engineering and related fields, and payload specialists from researchers in space science research and application areas of the manned space program.
Potential First Appearance of Non-Pilot Astronauts
The crew members for the Shenzhou-16 mission have not yet been announced, but it is likely that the team will consist of three members, as has been the case in previous missions.
Since the successful launch of Shenzhou-5, China has sent 16 astronauts on 26 missions to space. All nine astronauts from the first batch and seven from the second batch have completed spaceflights. It is expected that the Shenzhou-16 crew will continue the tradition of "veterans leading newcomers," with experienced astronauts leading the mission and the debut of third-batch astronauts, which will be a major highlight of this mission.
If flight engineers and payload specialists appear in the Shenzhou-16 and Shenzhou-17 crews, it will mark the first time that non-pilot astronauts have entered space to carry out missions.
Payload Specialists: No Pilot Background Required
Payload specialists are a category of astronaut classified by mission type, referring to researchers who conduct scientific and applied research experiments in space stations. In other words, payload specialists are astronauts involved in space experiment operations. As space science and technology activities become increasingly specialized, payload specialists have emerged to meet this need. Unlike space pilots, payload specialists do not require a pilot background but must have professional training and extensive operational experience in science, medicine, engineering, or other relevant fields, primarily responsible for operating related experimental payloads.
Different countries have used different terms for astronauts involved in space experiment operations at various stages. For example, the United States referred to them as "scientist astronauts" during the Apollo moon landing phase and "payload specialists" during the Space Shuttle era, while Russia called them "research astronauts" during the Mir space station phase.
Requirements for Selecting Payload Specialists
On October 2, 2022, the China Manned Space Agency announced the launch of the selection process for the fourth batch of reserve astronauts to meet the needs of subsequent manned space missions. A total of 12 to 14 reserve astronauts will be selected, including approximately two payload specialists.
According to reports, candidates for payload specialists must hold a doctoral degree in a relevant field, have at least three years of professional experience in the industry, and be between 30 and 45 years old. They must also meet certain physical requirements, with male candidates required to be between 162 and 175 centimeters tall and female candidates between 160 and 175 centimeters tall.
Condensed Version
CNR News, Beijing, May 23 - The Shenzhou-16 manned spacecraft and Long March 2F Yao-16 carrier rocket combination was transferred to the launch area on May 22, with a planned launch soon. Following Shenzhou-16 this month, Shenzhou-17 is set for October launch, marking the debut of the third batch of Chinese astronauts, including flight engineers and payload specialists, on the space station.
The third batch of 18 reserve astronauts (one female), selected in 2020, includes seven space pilots, seven spaceflight engineers, and four payload specialists. Space pilots and engineers operate spacecraft, while payload specialists handle space science experiments. They are selected from Air Force pilots, aerospace engineers, and space science researchers, respectively.
The Shenzhou-16 crew, likely a three-member team, may feature non-pilot astronauts for the first time, with experienced astronauts leading newcomers. Payload specialists, researchers in space experiments, do not need pilot training but require expertise in science, medicine, or engineering.
China started selecting the fourth batch of reserve astronauts in 2022, including two payload specialists. Candidates must hold a doctoral degree, have three years of experience, be aged 30-45, and meet physical requirements.