Breaking Down High-flying Barriers

China will recruit women astronauts for future manned space missions as a result of pressure from a leading women's organization, the official Xinhua News Agency reported Sunday. A proposal by Gu Xiulian, president of the All-China Women's Federation, to allow women to fly on space missions has been approved by the central government, Xinhua reported. Last October, China launched its first manned space mission. Astronaut Yang Liwei became an instant national hero upon returning from his 21 1/2 hours in orbit aboard the Shenzhou 5.

China's space craft designers will have to make minor changes to future space ships to accommodate women, the report said, quoting an unnamed official with the Beijing-based Space Medical Engineering Institute, which is responsible for training astronauts. No further details were provided.

The report said hundreds of Chinese women pilots have joined the country's civil aviation and air force since 1951. Xinhua has reported that 14 astronauts are being trained for the nation's next mission, which could happen as early as the first half of next year. The United States and Russia are the only other countries that have sent manned spacecraft into orbit. China appears to be stepping up the pace and profile of its space missions. The government said in January it hoped to send 10 satellites into orbit this year while developing its first lunar probe. A space station is also planned.

FMI: www.women.org.cn/womenorg/English