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Long wait for the moment

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-09-26 00:16

From then on, they have led a life of abstinence to prepare for the rigors of spaceflight.

According to strict rules, they were not permitted to dine outside their training centers or disclose their identities, and can only go home on weekends. Before the launch of the spaceship, they stayed in a heavily guarded quarantine facility to protect them from any viruses.

They had to learn 58 disciplines ranging from English, astronomy and physics, a tall order they likened to 58 "ladders" to space.

Besides academic pursuit, intensive training programs involving fast-spinning centrifuges and underwater training were also demanding.

When the centrifuge is in motion, an astronaut must train himself to read signals and answer questions despite dizziness, contorting face muscles and spurting tears. "The machine had a red button at our fingertips in case we couldn't hold it any longer, but as far as I remember, no one has ever pushed the button," said Yang Liwei.

Underwater training also took its toll on their bodies, leaving them unable to hold a pair of chopsticks after emerging from the water. "They are the most diligent and smartest trainees I have ever had," said Hu Yinyan, a trainer in spaceship maneuvering.

"It requires years of relentless training and a deep commitment to your career to succeed, and I think they all have these qualities," she added.

Brotherhood and sacrifice

The first generation of Chinese astronauts has been honored as a group who realized the world's most populous nation's space dreams, but unfortunately not all of them are rewarded with the chance to fly. As well as the Shenzhou VII trio, three other members of the squad get the chance to fly, and the rest will retire or transfer to other jobs because of an age limit.

"Everyone wants to fly, but only a few get picked. Sometimes the wish has to give way to the fact and the next thing you do is to work harder," Zhai Zhigang said.

Huang Weifen, deputy chief designer of the astronaut system, said "those who don't get picked can conceal the disappointment on their face, but you feel that in the training, they were harder on themselves.

"An important thing is the members help each other because years of studying, training and staying together has forged a solid friendship among them," she said.

Yang Liwei added: "We were so familiar with one another that if one moved a finger, I knew whether he wants water or wants to say something.".

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