Medical team draws up plans for astronauts

Each time Chinese astronauts are launched into space or they return to Earth, almost all of the space industry workers who are involved in the process hope their meticulously honed skills contribute to the success of the mission.

However, a few well-trained professionals always wish that their expertise is never needed. They are doctors and nurses from the Manned Spaceflight Medical Support Team who deal with health emergencies of astronauts.

"Since China's first manned spaceflight — the Shenzhou V in October 2003 — medical specialists from my center have taken part in the on-site medical support work for every crewed mission, and they have done their job very well," said Gu Jianwen, deputy chief of the landing site system and head of the Beijing-headquartered medical support team, in an exclusive interview with China Daily at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China's Gobi Desert.