China launches manned spacecraft with first woman astronaut | WPN World People News

China will launch its Shenzhou-9 manned spacecraft into space on Saturday, along with its first female astronaut, a spokesperson said.

Two male astronauts will also be on board the country's historic space docking mission that will be launched at 6.37 p.m. Saturday.

The male astronauts are Jing Haipeng and Liu Wang, while Liu Yang is the female astronaut, Wu Ping, spokeswoman for China's manned space program, said at a press conference at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

Liu Yang, 33, is a People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force major. She is a veteran pilot with 1,680 hours of flying experience and was the deputy head of a flight unit of the PLA's Air Force before being recruited as potential astronaut in May 2010, the state-run Xinhua reported.

Liu was selected in March this year as a candidate for the Shenzhou-9 manned spacecraft mission.

"Generally speaking, female astronauts have better durability, psychological stability and ability to deal with loneliness," Wu said.

More than 50 female astronauts from seven countries have gone into space to date. The longest space flight by a female astronaut lasted 188 days.

Jing, 46, was one of three crew members aboard the Shenzhou-7 in 2008. He will be commander of the Shenzhou-9's crew and is the first Chinese astronaut to travel into space twice.

Liu Wang, 43, also a former pilot, was selected to be trained as an astronaut in January 19, Xinhua reported.

On board, Major Liu will have her own private bedroom, according to the Chinese state media, and will be allowed an extra ration of water for cleaning.

"She will be able to take a sponge bath with more water than that for her male counterparts, according to international conventions, and even bring some specially made cosmetics into space," Pang Zhihao from the China Academy of Space Technology told the state media.

Her background has been kept largely a secret.

Source: China News.Net