CNR Beijing, May 23 - According to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), 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 to launch in the coming days at an opportune moment.
On May 22, the combination of the Shenzhou-16 manned spacecraft and the Long March 2F Yao-16 carrier rocket was in transit to the launch area. (Source: Xinhua News Agency)
According to China's 2023 manned spaceflight "mission list," following the launch of Shenzhou-16 this month, Shenzhou-17 is scheduled for launch in October. During this period, a particularly noteworthy focus is that the third batch of Chinese astronauts will make their debut on the space station stage, with flight engineers and payload specialists appearing for the first time among the astronaut crews of Shenzhou-16 and Shenzhou-17.
Third Batch of Reserve Astronauts Completed Selection in 2020
According to a message from the China Manned Space Agency on October 1, 2020, the selection process for the third batch of reserve astronauts for China's manned space program had concluded, with a total of 18 reserve astronauts (including one female) ultimately selected. This group comprises seven spaceflight pilots, seven aerospace flight engineers, and four payload specialists, who will become new members of China's astronaut corps.
To meet the requirements of China's space station engineering missions, the third batch of reserve astronauts includes two new categories in addition to spaceflight pilots: aerospace flight engineers and payload specialists. Spaceflight pilots and aerospace flight engineers are primarily responsible for directly operating and managing spacecraft, as well as conducting related technical experiments. Payload specialists are mainly responsible for in-orbit operations of space science experiment payloads.
Spaceflight pilots are selected from active-duty pilots in the Air Force, aerospace flight engineers are chosen from engineering and technical personnel engaged in aerospace engineering and related fields, and payload specialists are selected from researchers in the fields of space science research and applications within the manned space program.
Non-Pilot "Astronauts" May Make Their Debut for the First Time
Currently, the crew members for the Shenzhou-16 mission have not yet been announced, but it is highly likely that the mission will retain a three-person crew configuration.
According to reports, since the successful launch of Shenzhou-5, China has sent 16 astronauts on 26 missions into space. All nine astronauts from the first batch and seven from the second batch have already completed spaceflights. It is expected that the Shenzhou-16 crew will continue the tradition of "seasoned astronauts leading newcomers," with veteran astronauts taking the lead, while also featuring the debut of astronauts from the third batch, which will be one of the highlights of this mission.
If flight engineers and payload specialists are included among the astronaut crews of Shenzhou-16 and Shenzhou-17, it will mark the first time that non-pilot "astronauts" have entered space to perform missions.
"Payload Specialists" Do Not Require a Pilot Background
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 simpler terms, payload specialists are astronauts involved in space experiment operations. As space science and technology activities become increasingly specialized, payload specialists have emerged to meet these needs. Payload specialists do not require a pilot background but must have professional training and extensive operational experience in fields such as science, medicine, and engineering, primarily responsible for operating relevant experimental payloads.
Different countries have used different terms to refer to 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 as "payload specialists" during the space shuttle era; 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 that to meet the needs of subsequent manned spaceflight missions, the selection process for the fourth batch of reserve astronauts had recently commenced. A total of 12 to 14 reserve astronauts will be selected, including approximately two payload specialists.
According to reports, candidates for payload specialists are required to hold a doctoral