By Fu Jing and Cao Desheng

For Zhai Zhigang, the launch of the Shenzhou VI spacecraft has become a new starting point in his career to realize the dream of space flight.

The 39-year-old astronaut was only "a step" away from his dream of joining the nation's two manned space odyssey.

With a 950-hour safe flight record and in outstanding physical condition, Zhai was one of the leading candidates for the manned space programme in 2003. But, when it came to the crunch, it was his colleague Yang Liwei who became China's first astronaut two years ago.

And last week Zhai again had to watch while others took his dream journey, ruled out of crewing Shenzhou VI just days before launch.

"Honestly, I feel a little bit disappointed," Zhai said. "But I felt even more proud of being an astronaut when I saw the successful launch of Shenzhou VI.

"Shenzhou VI will be a new starting point for me as I begin training to face the future challenges of Shenzhou VII and even Shenzhou VIII," he said.

Zhai is only one of the would-be "space heroes" whose efforts have been overshadowed by the achievements of Nie Haisheng and Fei Junlong, who piloted the Shenzhou VI spacecraft into the skies last Wednesday.

The others confined to the earth for the time being are astronauts Wu Jie, 42; Liu Boming, 39; and Jing Haipeng, 39.

"Who is chosen to pilot the spacecraft is not important, provided they can fulfil the mission well," said Wu. "What motivates us is the continuation of the space programme.

"Despite great endeavours and even risks to life, I'm ready to continue the effort," Wu said.

"Every effort we make means we are closer to the realization of our dreams."

Women astronauts

Chinese women are also expected to go into orbit on space missions.

Recruiting for female astronauts will start at the beginning of 2006 with selection criteria currently being drawn up.

A group of women, trained to become fighter pilots, are being targeted as likely candidates for future space voyages before 2010.

This year 35 women trainee pilots were recruited and are now studying at the Aviation University of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force.

"The country's first group of female fighter pilots may emerge and some of them will be picked as astronauts," said Chen Shanguang, director of the China Astronaut Research and Training Centre.

Trained with science and engineering knowledge, they are expected to work as payload experts to carry out experiments in outer space.

Earlier reports said that the 35 cadets had been selected from among more than 200,000 high school graduates.

Those 35 cadets will undertake four years' of college courses including culture, science and aviation theories, together with flight skills training and specialized education for carrying out space-based scientific experiments.

Some space experts expect more married women to be considered for astronaut selection because marriage and maternity leave, more likely with younger recruits, could interfere with training .

Studies of the effects of space flight on women have begun and Chinese researchers will face several new challenges, including the development of women's new space suits.

(Source: China Daily)