Born: 1978 (Zhengzhou, Henan province)
Biography:
Liu Yang (Chinese: ; pinyin: Liú Yáng) is a Chinese military transport pilot and taikonaut who made history as the first Chinese woman to venture into space. Born on October 6, 1978, in Zhengzhou, Henan province, Liu grew up in a worker’s family of Linzhou, Anyang origin. Her father, Liu Shilin, worked as an assistant engineer in the technical department of Zhengzhou First Food Machinery Factory, while her mother, Niu Xiyun, was a worker in Zhengzhou Light Automobile Manufacturing Factory. Liu is the only child in her family, and her humble background shaped her determination and resolve.
Liu’s passion for aviation led her to graduate from the PLA Air Force Aviation University in Changchun. In 1997, she joined the PLA Air Force and embarked on a path to becoming a pilot. Liu’s commitment and talent enabled her to qualify as a pilot and eventually assume the role of deputy head of a flight unit, with the prestigious PLAAF rank of major. With 1,680 hours of flying experience, Liu established herself as a seasoned and skilled pilot.
In 2010, after undergoing two years of intense astronaut training, Liu demonstrated exceptional aptitude and triumphed in the testing process. Alongside another remarkable woman, Wang Yaping, she was selected as a candidate for the astronaut corps, an achievement that marked a major milestone in China’s space exploration program.
Liu’s remarkable journey culminated in her selection as a crew member for the historic Shenzhou 9 mission. The mission aimed to dock with the Chinese space station Tiangong 1, and on June 16, 2012, Liu made history as the first Chinese woman to venture into space. Notably, her launch coincided with the 49th anniversary of the first female space traveler, cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova.
During the Shenzhou 9 mission, Liu Yang played a vital role in conducting experiments in space medicine. Her presence and accomplishments marked a significant milestone for women in China and served as an inspiration to girls and women around the world who aspired to explore the final frontier.
Continuing to make strides in space exploration, Liu embarked on another mission on June 5, 2022. Aboard Shenzhou 14, she journeyed to the Tiangong space station for a planned six-month-long stay. On September 1, 2022, Liu Yang achieved another milestone by conducting her first spacewalk, making her the second Chinese woman to accomplish this feat.
In addition to her groundbreaking achievements, Liu Yang is a member of the Chinese Communist Party. She is married to Zhang Hua, and together they have a son and a daughter. Liu is admired for her eloquence as a speaker, her love for reading, and her passion for cooking.
Awards:
– First Chinese woman to go into space, 2012
– First female Chinese astronaut to conduct a spacewalk, 2022