Payload Specialist, 载荷专家 zài hè zhuān jiā

Payload specialists are astronauts who conduct scientific and applied research experiments on space stations. Candidates must meet criteria related to physical fitness, education, and  expertise.

The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced that a total of 10 candidates have been selected for China’s fourth group of astronauts, including eight space pilots and two payload specialists respectively from Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.

China aims to achieve manned moon landing before 2030. The astronaut training program considers both space station missions and moon landing missions.