Chinese Astronauts

space exploration · China · astronauts · human spaceflight

Pioneer in Space. Yang Liwei became the first Chinese astronaut in space on October 15, 2003, orbiting Earth aboard Shenzhou 5 and making China the third country to send humans to space.

Women Explorers. China has trained women astronauts as commanders, pilots, and crew members, including Liu Yang, who flew on Shenzhou 9 in 2012.

Teamwork in Space. Chinese astronauts work together on missions, with teams of two or three people training to live and work together in spacecraft and space stations.

Training Program. The China National Space Administration carefully selects and trains astronauts in science, engineering, spacecraft operation, and survival skills to prepare them for space missions.

Space Achievements. Chinese astronauts have completed missions to orbit Earth, dock with space stations, and contribute to building and maintaining China's Tiangong space station in orbit.