BEIJING -- China plans to select three astronauts for its first manned space flight expected this autumn, state media

reported. The launch is planned to take place around November, although the exact date will depend on factors such as the weather, the

****Beijing Youth**** daily said, citing an anonymous official. So far preparations are proceeding smoothly, with 20 different kinds of astronaut food already produced at Chinese plants, the

paper said. Local scientists and technicians have also developed an astronaut suit weighing about 10 kilograms (22 pounds), and costing

"as much as a luxury car", the paper said. The first three Chinese to enter into orbit will be selected from a group of 12 currently receiving training, the paper said,

contradicting previous reports describing a pool of 14 candidates. All 12 are elite air force pilots, with an average age of 30, height of about 170 centimeters (5 foot 7 inches) and body weight of

approximately 64 kilograms (143 pounds), the paper reported. China has so far launched four unmanned spaceflights, the last of which, Shenzhou IV, successfully returned to earth on January 5

after a 162-hour mission. It was seen as the final dress rehearsal before a manned

spaceflight on board Shenzhou V. With a successful manned space flight, China would become only the third country to send a human into orbit following the former Soviet Union and the United States.(AFP)