Go Taikonauts!

Taikonauts


Last updated: October 11, 2005


 

1971 Shuguang Group

China approved the "Project 714" on July 14, 1970 to develop the Shuguang manned spacecraft, to be launched in 1973. Shuguang taikonaut group selection bagan in late 1970. Initial screening resulted 88 candidates from PLA pilots. During January to May, 1971, throughout strict medical examinations and physical testing, finally 20 taikonaut candidates were selected. It is said that one candidate was absent for an unknown reason when the group was established. As a result, the group had only 19 members. In fact, the group was never formally trained after its establishment because the whole program was cancelled in late 1971. Please note that the following list has only 18 taikonauts, as name and particulars of one candidate are still unknown.

 

The Late 70s Group

It has revealed that China undertook a new round of taikonaut training in late 1970s. Early released photos showing orange color spacesuit and shuttle-like cockpit all are related to this round of training. The training was likely terminated around 1980. It is still unclear whether this training was for particular missions, or purely for medical researches or  equipment testing (such as spacesuits). It is also unclear how may candidates were involved and whether they were selected through formal procedures.

 

The Mid 80s Sino-US Shuttle Group

China and United States of America had a joint shuttle flight plan in mid 1980s, as a result of an invitation by President Ronald Reagan. According to Chinese, the plan was cancelled by the US side (presumably due to the Challenger accident). However, preparation works for astronaut selection already began in 1986, which was immediately terminated after US's notification on project's cancellation. It seems the selection have not resulted any candidates.

 

1996 Shenzhou Trainer Group

China started the "Project 921" manned space program in September 21, 1992. According to the agreement with Russian government in 1993, China sent two candidates to Russia's Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City in October 1996. They returned to China after one year period of training. The two candidates later became trainers in China's own training program. The trainer-taikonaut selection began in November 1995 and completed in 1996. The two later joined the 12-person formal taikonaut group in March 1998.

 

1998 Shenzhou Group

To prepare the planned Shenzhou manned space flight, taikonaut selection began in end of 1995. As before, candidates are chosen from PLAAF pilots. Screening identified 1504 and then 886 candidates. In summer 1996, 60 candidates passed initial testing and went to Beijing for final selection. Further testing resulted 20 persons in April, 1997, and finally 12 candidates by end of 1997. In January 1998, the 12-taikonaut group was established. In March, 1998, two trainer taikonauts joined the group.

 

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