Astronauts take training. [File photo]

The research will also be used by decision-makers to decide what constitutes a suitable workload for astronauts on extended missions and drawing up training programs in accordance with the results.

The country's eight major research institutes will participate in the program, including the institute of psychology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing Normal University and Peking University, though the funding for the program has yet to be revealed.

It is the country's first pivotal, basic research program in the field of space exploration, according to Chen, who is also the program's chief scientist.

China plans to launch two space laboratories before 2016 to study the key technologies involved in building a space station, with a view to constructing a space station for astronauts to serve on board over an extended period around 2020, according to the official website of the China Manned Space Engineering Office.

The longest period Chinese astronauts remained in space so far was 115.5 hours, or nearly five days, during the mission of Shenzhou VI in 2005.

In contrast, astronauts have continuously remained on board the International Space Station for six months at a time, while a Russian astronaut remained in space for a record 438 days from 1994 to 1995.