SAR astronauts gear up for debut mission

Chinese astronauts selected from the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions are expected to carry out their first spaceflight as early as 2026, a senior official said on Wednesday.

Lin Xiqiang, deputy director of the China Manned Space Agency, said at a news conference at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China that the two astronauts have adapted well to life and training at the Astronaut Center of China in Beijing since arriving in August.

"They have been getting along well with other astronauts and training diligently and hard," Lin said. "They are learning knowledge and skills to be used in space missions. As science payload specialists, one of them will take part in their first mission as early as 2026."

It was the first time a space official confirmed a flight timeline for the astronauts from Hong Kong and Macao, who are part of China's fourth group of astronauts.

China began selecting its fourth generation of astronauts in October 2022 and announced the completion of the process in June last year. Ten astronauts were chosen: eight spacecraft pilots and two science payload specialists.

Both of the payload specialists were selected from Hong Kong and Macao, marking the first time residents from the two regions have joined China's astronaut team.

Lin said the fourth-generation astronauts have been training in Beijing since August, receiving lectures on spaceflight and psychological resilience, along with specially designed physical training.

They have also observed the launches, returns and spacewalks of earlier astronaut crews.

In addition to standard courses, the Hong Kong and Macao astronauts have received tailored lectures, including sessions on the history and spirit of China's manned space program and lessons in spoken Mandarin, Lin said in October.

Separately, Lin said the selection of two Pakistani astronauts is underway. After the process is completed, the candidates will begin professional training in China.

One of the selected Pakistani astronauts will eventually fly to China's Tiangong space station and work there as a science payload specialist, he said.

The China Manned Space Agency and Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission signed an agreement in February in Islamabad to facilitate bilateral cooperation in astronaut selection, training and future joint missions aboard the Tiangong station.

Lin added that several other countries have also approached China about sending their nationals to participate in missions on the Tiangong station, and discussions on such collaborations are ongoing.