Personal: Male. Born in Hunan, China.

Astronaut Career

Astronaut Group: Shuguang Group - 1970.

Yu Guilin, born in Hunan, was an example of a candidate for the first Chinese astronaut group that was not selected. He graduated from junior middle school and sought selection as a pilot in 1956, but was rejected because of low body weight. In 1959 he completed high school. He reapplied, was able to meet the physical requirements, and began flying school in March 1960. After completing training he was retained as a flight instructor from May 1965. He was asked to report to the Beijing Air Force Main Hospital in the first batch of 340 candidates in November 1970. However he was washed out when his lung ruptured during centrifuge tests. Although this disqualified him from further consideration, he was able to continue his flying career.

1 May 1970 - Shuguang Group selected.. China approved Project 714 on July 14, 1970 to develop the Shuguang manned spacecraft, to be launched in 1973. Shuguang group selection bagan in late 1970. Initial screening resulted 88 candidates from PLA pilots. After further medical and political testing in the first half of 1971, 20 finalists were selected. One candidate did not report for training for reasons that were never divulged. The program was cancelled in late 1971.