Chinese female astronaut to join Shenzhou-9 docking mission

● Shenzhou-9 spacecraft is scheduled to take-off in mid June

● The final three-person crew will be decided much nearer the launch date

● The spacecraft will carry live butterflies, both butterfly eggs and pupae, as part of a biological experiment

The rocket carrying the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft has been taken to its launch pad, according to the original plan, and is scheduled to take-off in mid June.

One of the two female astronauts, Wang Yaping (L) and Liu Yang(R),from the Wuhan Flight Unit, will join Shenzhou-9 manned spacecraft docking mission with Tiangong-1 spacecraft in mid-June. They are selected as members of the first batch of female astronauts in China because of their excellent flight skills and psychological quality.

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The move means Shenzhou 9 mission is entering its final stage. A test of the rocket and Shenzhou 9 will be carried out on the launch pad in the next few days. The unmanned capsule, Tiangong 1, launched last year, is now operating well, and has lowered itself into a docking orbit.

Shenzhou 9 will carry astronauts to dock with Tiangong 1 as part of China’s plan to launch a manned space center.

Lu Jinrong, Chief Designer of Jiuquan Launch Center said, "A series of tests will be carried out before the launch, to assess all aspects of the rocket and the spacecraft. Our astronauts are preparing for the launch, and it's essential that they get familiar with the facilities and surroundings. They came to the launch site last year and had a rehearsal. So far their training has been going well."

It is worth noting that two female astronauts have been selected to fly on board the Shenzhou-9. However, the final three-person crew will be decided much nearer the launch date.

The spacecraft will also carry live butterflies, along with butterfly eggs and pupae, as part of a biological experiment.

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Tiangong-1 ready to dock with Shenzhou-9 spacecraft

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File Photo: Liu Yang. She will join Shenzhou-9 manned spacecraft docking mission with Tiangong-1 spacecraft in mid-June. She's selected as members of the first batch of female astronauts in China because of their excellent flight skills and psychological quality.

File Photo: Wang Yaping. She will join Shenzhou-9 manned spacecraft docking mission with Tiangong-1 spacecraft in mid-June. She's selected as members of the first batch of female astronauts in China because of their excellent flight skills and psychological quality.