China has launched its latest mission to the Tiangong space station, which includes its first civilian astronaut. Traditionally, China’s astronauts are selected from among fighter plane pilots with ample flying experience, as they can control the machinery and have the training to stay calm should an emergency arise in space. However, the inclusion of Gui Haichao, a professor from Beihang University, who will conduct space science experiments, collect and analyze data and maintain the lab devices on the space station, shows that the nation is confident enough to send persons other than military pilots into space. It means that the threshold for traveling into space is being lowered, offering hope to many that one day ordinary people will be able to buy a ticket for a trip into space. China’s Tiangong space station will be the only one in service after the planned retirement of the International Space Station. With China’s space program including the training of astronauts from other countries, no one should be surprised if a multinational crew is sent to Tiangong some day. Likewise, China has said that its plan to construct and operate a lunar research station is open to the participation of all nations, international organizations and international partners.
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