China to put two more men in space

China today announced plans to send two more astronauts into orbit within the next two years on the country’s second manned mission.

The announcement, carried by the official Xinhua News Agency in Beijing, was the most detailed information yet on China’s plans for its next space launch aboard the ship that would be called Shenzhou 6.

The Chinese manned space programme’s chief designer, Wang Yongzhi, said the next mission would probably be “at least 24 hours”.

Wang’s comments came three weeks after astronaut Yang Liwei became China’s first man in space.

“The scientists are busily involved in research to create an environment within the spaceship to accommodate more than one astronaut,” Xinhua said.

Chinese aerospace officials have already said they plan to launch a space station within 10 years.