The Chinese space agency CNSA has finalized the selection process for 18 astronauts, including a woman, according to a statement on the website of the Asian country’s manned flight program.
The selection process began in May 2018 and consisted of three phases. 2,500 applications were initially received.
Seven pilots, seven flight engineers and four experts in spacecraft, in total there are 18 people.
The selected group of astronauts will have to prepare for trips to the Tiangong space station that the CNSA plans to finish construction in 2022.
The future orbital platform will fly at an altitude of between 340 and 450 kilometers from Earth.
China selected its first team of 14 astronauts in 1998, the second group of seven in 2010. Eleven of them flew into space.
