A Chinese scientist has said that China will send five new satellites to space within five years as part of the country's rapidly growing space program.

According to Wu Jin, director of the National Space Science Centre, the five satellites will focus on observation of solar activities on the earth environment and space weather. They will also be used for the analysis of water recycling and probing of black holes.

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"All these projects were selected according to their scientific significance by judging committees led by scientists to give a vent for their innovation potential," Wu said.

The first of the five Satellites, SMILE or "Solar Wind-Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Link Explorer," is set to be launched in the year 2021.

The satellite's X-ray and Ultraviolet technology will help study the effects of the sun on the Earth's environment. It will also study space weather by creating images of interaction between solar winds and the Earth's magnetosphere.

Wu said the missions are of paramount importance for space science and the improvement of life.

Meanwhile, China is set to send its first female astronaut into space as part of a team of seven made up of five men and two women.

An expert of the air force general hospital, Xu Xiarong, said that women have advantages as astronauts over men because they are more mentally stable, are better able to deal with loneliness, and have better communication skills.

The authorities are yet to disclose the names of the potential astronauts.

Tagschina, Space mission, China space program