China's astronauts in zero-gravity tests to prepare for autumn mission

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2005

BEIJING (AFP) — The 14 candidates for China's next manned space mission have undergone testing for the zero-gravity conditions they will experience in orbit, state media said.

Competition is heating up as just two of the 14 astronauts will have a chance to be on the next space flight, expected to take place this autumn, the Xinhua news agency reported.

Despite the severe physical strain that a zero-gravity environment imposes on humans, none of the 14 gave up during the five days of meticulous testing, according to Xinhua.

"Not a single astronaut ever hesitated or dropped out during the extremely hard training," said Yang Liwei, who became China's first man in space in late 2003 and who is also among the 14 vying for this autumn's flight.

Reflecting...