In today's world, People's Liberation Army Astronaut Corps has gained unprecedented importance. On both a personal and professional level, People's Liberation Army Astronaut Corps has significantly impacted our lives. Since its emergence, People's Liberation Army Astronaut Corps has become a topic of great relevance, generating debates, research and innovative developments. In this article, we will explore the impact of People's Liberation Army Astronaut Corps in different sectors, its evolution over time and the implications it has for the future. Without a doubt, People's Liberation Army Astronaut Corps is a topic that leaves no one indifferent, and it is essential to understand its scope and consequences in today's society.
People's Liberation Army Astronaut Corps | |
---|---|
Active | 1998 |
Country | People's Republic of China |
Allegiance | Chinese Communist Party |
Branch | People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force |
Part of | People's Liberation Army |
The People's Liberation Army Astronaut Corps (PLAAC; Chinese: 中国人民解放军航天员大队), also known as the Chinese Astronaut Corps (Chinese: 中国航天员大队), is a Beijing-based sub-corps-level People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force (PLASSF)[needs update] unit directly under the PLASSF Space Systems Department (PLASSF-SSD) and is responsible for the selection and training of astronaut corps for Project 921, the Chinese manned space program.
In October 1992, a Commission for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense-PLAAF joint task force started the preliminary selection for astronauts; 1,506 pilots were identified and twelve were chosen as candidates. The Astronaut Corps was established on January 5, 1998 and the twelve along with two PLAAF trainees sent to Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in 1996 forms Chinese Group 1.
Seven pilots entered the Astronaut Corps in May 2010 as Group 2.
In 2014, Group 1 astronauts Wu Jie, Li Qinglong, Chen Quan, Zhao Chuandong, and Pan Zhanchun retired from the Astronaut Corps due to age; none of them had flown in a mission.
The Astronaut Corps was part of the General Armaments Department until GAD was disbanded in January 2016. As part of the 2015 military reform, it became part of the Strategic Support Force.
In January and March 2018, China Manned Space Agency vice director, astronaut Yang Liwei stated that Group 3 selection was expected to begin in 2018 and would include engineers and mission specialists. Yang also stated that Group 3 would include civilians from industry and research institutions.