They are the "Heroines" Shining in the Stars and Seas: The Making of China's Female Astronauts

They are the "Heroines" Shining in the Stars and Seas: The Making of China's Female AstronautsTo become an astronaut, one must first be an outstanding air force pilot. This requires thousands of hours of flight training and rigorous education, with a qualification rate of only 1%, making it a selection process of one in a hundred

They are the "Heroines" Shining in the Stars and Seas: The Making of China's Female Astronauts

For thousands of years, humanity has been filled with endless curiosity about the sky. From the rudimentary "rockets" of Wan Hu to Yuri Gagarin's journey into space, humankind's pursuit of exploring the cosmos has never ceased. The selection of China's female astronauts began shortly after Gagarin's flight, marking a chapter in women's journey to space. Today, dozens of female astronauts from around the world have ventured into space, their journeys filled with challenges and glory. The experience of China's first female astronaut is particularly awe-inspiring.

To become an astronaut, one must first be an outstanding air force pilot. This requires thousands of hours of flight training and rigorous education, with a qualification rate of only 1%, making it a selection process of one in a hundred. Only after passing this stage can they enter two years of training and assessments. Even after successfully passing all assessments, the chances of being ultimately chosen remain slim. Many excellent pilots, after enduring countless trials, ultimately fall short of their dreams. So, what unique challenges did China's female astronauts, who have also dedicated themselves to this long journey, face?

Their journey is to the stars and the sea, and it is also a challenge to their physical limits.

To fly into space, they undergo more stringent physical examinations than male astronauts. Beyond the basic physical requirements for pilots, even things like nail fungus and snoring are grounds for disqualification.

During training, they endure hundreds of high-intensity tasks, including underwater training. Wang Yaping, in an interview, mentioned that the space environment doesn't change just because she is a woman, so she undergoes the same training programs as male astronauts. In underwater training, they wear 200 kg training suits and remain submerged for six to seven hours continuously. During this time, they can't eat or drink, even going to the bathroom is prohibited, and they must complete various movements and operate different equipment. This places immense pressure on their bodies.

Women naturally have some inherent disadvantages in terms of physical fitness. To overcome these limitations, they must put in even more effort than men. They wear the same training suits as men and perform the same training exercises. Especially in upper body strength training, they must exert greater effort to achieve the same level as male astronauts.

Aside from physical fitness training, they also undergo high-speed rotation training in a centrifuge. This training is akin to completing a 10,000-meter run in just a few minutes, a feat difficult for ordinary individuals to endure. In centrifuge training, they must constantly rotate clockwise and counterclockwise, experiencing nausea, but they cannot stop; they can only grit their teeth and persevere.

To prepare for potential emergencies in the space environment, they also participate in wilderness survival training. Instructors will drop them into deserts, forests, swamps, and icy oceans, cultivating their wilderness survival skills for any eventuality.

Their dream is the stars and the sea, and it is also overcoming physiological challenges.

After rigorous training, they finally welcome the moment of flying to the universe. However, in the weightless space environment, they face a significant physiological challenge: their menstrual cycle.

Even though they have undergone the same rigorous training as male astronauts and are capable of flying to space, they are women after all, and their menstrual cycles are inevitable. In a weightless environment, uterine blood is difficult to expel, posing a considerable risk.

Early on, NASA's female astronauts would take birth control pills to alter their menstrual cycles, avoiding complications in the space environment. The United States and Russia have always employed this method, as no spontaneous menstruation has occurred during long-duration space station work. Therefore, in the selection of female astronauts, those who have already given birth are prioritized because this method can cause significant harm to their bodies.

China, taking into account the unique physiological structure of female astronauts, has developed specialized spacesuits. These suits provide comprehensive protection, ensuring a comfortable environment throughout their mission. The specialized spacesuits also enable them to move more flexibly during extravehicular activities, reducing physical exertion.

More importantly, the spacesuits specifically designed for China's female astronauts are even tailored to the point of having dedicated gloves, and they are equipped with a waste collection system. This is not just for convenience; it is primarily for protecting their health. The radiation present in the space environment can cause significant damage to human skin, accelerating aging. It is only right to develop advanced spacesuits to protect these heroines.

Their journey is to the stars and the sea, and it is also a contribution to human exploration.

Since ancient times, humanity has been filled with curiosity about space, weaving countless legends about the moon and the sun, all reflecting the longing for the cosmos. Now, humanity has finally entered the stars and the sea, embarking on the study of outer space, and the sacrifices of these heroines will surely make our lives even better.

We also wish these heroes who dedicate themselves for us a safe return for every flight, every spacewalk mission, and every return journey. They are the "heroines" shining in the stars and the sea, and their contributions and sacrifices add new brilliance to humanity's dream of exploring the universe.

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