China could soon start its space tourism. The Chinese government is now considering allowing its Tiangong space station to host tourists.
This effort is also expected to demonstrate China's transparency in a space program with strong ties with the PLA (People's Liberation Army).
China's Tiangong Space Station Could Soon Host Tourists!
According to Nikkei Asia's latest report, China Manned Space Agency Deputy Director Lin Xiqiang confirmed the Chinese government's plan to start its space tourism.
"We are planning to quickly examine promoting stays on our space station by foreign astronauts and space tourists," he said during a press conference on Wednesday, Apr. 24.
On Apr. 25, Thursday, the Shenzhou-18 mission will send new crew members to replace the three astronauts on board. As of writing, the Chinese space station only accommodates three astronauts on board.
Usually, the astronauts on board have been former Air Force pilots. If Tiangong starts accepting tourists, it will host other people, even those without flying experience.
China Encourages Space Tourism
Space.Com reported that China had been encouraging space tourism even before the construction of the Tiangong space station was completed. In 2022, Yang Liwei, the first Chinese astronaut to visit space, said that tourists without formal astronaut training could soon fly aboard Tiangong.
"It is not a matter of technology but of demand. And it can be realized within a decade as long as there is such demand," he said.
His statements were significant because he was speaking as a member of the CPPCC (Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference) at the time.
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