The number of applications to become the nation's first astronaut has topped 10,000.

The Science and Technology Ministry said Monday that 10,003 people including 1,736 women have signed up through Monday, the fourth day of applications.

The application deadline is July 14th.

With the final selection due in December, the chosen astronaut will receive training from January next year through March 2008 before boarding the Russian manned spacecraft Soyuz a month later.

The project is part of the government's plan to develop the space industry as a growth engine.