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China Recruits Astronauts: Bad-Breathed Need Not Apply

'Super human beings' must meet 100 criteria

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 3, 2009 8:34 AM CDT
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(Newser) – China’s looking for astronauts for its new space program, but getting the job won’t be easy: Applicants must conform to some 100 specs, including a ban on bad breath, the BBC reports. “Bad body odor will affect fellow colleagues in the narrow confines of a space shuttle," says a doctor at a military hospital. "These astronauts could be regarded as super human beings.”

Cavities, scars, and drug allergies are also banned, along with serious illnesses in the last three generations of the family. A spouse’s permission is required, as is a “pleasant and adaptable disposition.” The program is set to start next year.

Chinese astronauts, left to right, Jing Haipeng, Zhai Zhigang and Liu Boming during a send-off ceremony a launch in northwest China's Gansu province, on Thursday Sept. 25, 2008.
Chinese astronauts, left to right, Jing Haipeng, Zhai Zhigang and Liu Boming during a send-off ceremony a launch in northwest China's Gansu province, on Thursday Sept. 25, 2008.   (AP Photo)
In this photo distributed by the official Xinhua news agency, Chinese astronauts wave during the a ceremony at the space program headquarters in Beijing's north suburbs, China, Sept. 29, 2008.
In this photo distributed by the official Xinhua news agency, Chinese astronauts wave during the a ceremony at the space program headquarters in Beijing's north suburbs, China, Sept. 29, 2008.   (AP Photo/Xinhua, Chen Jianli)
In this video grab taken at the Beijing Space Command and Control Center released by China's Xinhua News Agency Sept. 27, 2008, Chinese astronaut Zhai Zhigang goes for a spacewalk.
In this video grab taken at the Beijing Space Command and Control Center released by China's Xinhua News Agency Sept. 27, 2008, Chinese astronaut Zhai Zhigang goes for a spacewalk.   (AP Photo/Xinhua)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Shannonals
Aug 4, 2009 3:34 AM CDT
I was going to ask that question about scars as soon as I read the article. Are they sending men into space or models?
cognitivefilter
Aug 3, 2009 9:19 AM CDT
you would, china. you would.
justapirate
Aug 3, 2009 3:15 AM CDT
Almost sounds like they're looking for a bunch of space models.

 
China • astronauts • breath • spouse

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