Following the successful docking of China's unmanned spacecraft, Shenzhou-8, with the space lab module, Tiangong-1, the next step is to send up a team of astronauts.

With the crew already chosen and training underway, they will take control of the rendezvous and docking mission between the two spacecraft. Due to take place next year, the success of the project literally lies in the hands of the astronauts.

To achieve the goal, China's space center has developed large-scale equipment and training simulators for the astronauts. As well as pursuing theoretical study and undergoing operational training, each crew member will carry out simulated rendezvous and docking protocols a thousand times each.