Liu Yang (astronaut)

Liu Yang (born 6 October 1978) is a Chinese military pilot and taikonaut who became the first Chinese woman in space. She is a prominent figure in China’s human spaceflight programme and has contributed significantly to the country’s advancements in orbital and extravehicular operations.

Early Life and Military Career

Liu Yang was born in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China, and grew up in a working-class family as the only child of her parents. From an early age, she displayed a keen interest in aviation and science, which later shaped her professional trajectory.
In 1997, she joined the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and began her training at the PLA Air Force Aviation University in Changchun. Over the years, Liu distinguished herself as an exceptionally skilled pilot, accumulating approximately 1,680 flight hours. Her competence and leadership earned her the rank of major and the position of deputy head of a flight unit. Her background as a transport pilot and her consistent performance under pressure made her an ideal candidate for China’s emerging human spaceflight programme.

Selection as a Taikonaut and Training

In May 2010, Liu Yang was selected as one of the second group of astronauts (taikonauts) to join the China National Space Administration’s human spaceflight corps. The selection process was highly rigorous, requiring exceptional physical fitness, mental resilience, and technical proficiency.
She underwent comprehensive astronaut training, which included simulations of weightlessness, spacecraft system management, psychological conditioning, survival exercises, and precision operations under extreme conditions. Liu’s prior experience as a pilot provided her with an advantage in mastering spacecraft controls and dealing with complex mechanical systems. Her outstanding adaptability and calm demeanour under pressure were repeatedly cited as key qualities in her training evaluations.

Spaceflight Missions

Shenzhou 9 (June 2012)

Liu Yang’s first spaceflight took place on 16 June 2012, aboard the spacecraft Shenzhou 9, alongside crewmates Jing Haipeng and Liu Wang. The mission achieved the first crewed docking with China’s prototype space station module Tiangong 1, marking a crucial milestone in the Chinese space programme.
During the mission, Liu conducted medical experiments, monitored biological responses to microgravity, and assisted in spacecraft operations. With this flight, she became the first Chinese woman to travel into space, a historic achievement that garnered national and international recognition. The Shenzhou 9 mission lasted thirteen days and was instrumental in validating systems for future long-duration missions.

Shenzhou 14 (June 2022)

Liu Yang’s second journey into space occurred on 5 June 2022, aboard Shenzhou 14, as part of China’s efforts to assemble and operationalise its permanent space station, Tiangong. Alongside crewmates Chen Dong and Cai Xuzhe, Liu played an active role in assembling the station’s modules, testing life-support systems, and conducting scientific experiments.
On 1 September 2022, she performed a spacewalk (extravehicular activity), becoming the second Chinese woman to do so. This mission demonstrated China’s growing competence in sustained space habitation and advanced orbital construction techniques. The crew remained in orbit for over six months, during which they completed several technical tasks essential to the final assembly of Tiangong.

Significance and Contributions

Liu Yang’s achievements represent a transformative moment in China’s space exploration history. Her participation in Shenzhou 9 marked the inclusion of women in China’s astronaut corps, symbolising both technological progress and societal advancement.
Her later involvement in Shenzhou 14 reinforced China’s capability for long-term orbital missions and her own versatility as a mission specialist. Through her work in space medicine, operational testing, and extravehicular activity, Liu Yang has helped enhance China’s capacity for future lunar and deep-space missions.
She has also served as an inspiration for young women pursuing careers in science, technology, and the armed forces. Her dedication exemplifies the blend of individual excellence and collective national ambition that characterises China’s modern space era.

Personal Life

Liu Yang is married to Zhang Hua, a fellow pilot in the People’s Liberation Army Air Force, and they have two children. Balancing her demanding professional commitments with family life, she has often emphasised the importance of teamwork and mutual understanding both in her career and at home. Her ability to harmonise her roles as an astronaut, officer, and mother has made her a respected public figure in China.

Skills and Recognitions

• Experienced pilot with over 1,600 flight hours prior to astronaut selection.
• Trained extensively in zero-gravity operations, spacecraft systems, and survival techniques.
• Recognised for her technical precision, mental discipline, and team leadership.
• Contributed to the validation of spacecraft systems for mixed-gender crews in China’s human spaceflight programme.
• Honoured by the Chinese government and military for her service and pioneering achievements.

Context within the Chinese Space Programme

China’s human spaceflight programme, initiated in the early 2000s, has evolved rapidly, progressing from short-duration orbital flights to complex, long-term space station missions. The successful docking of Shenzhou 9 with Tiangong 1 represented China’s mastery of rendezvous technology, while the Shenzhou 14 mission underscored the country’s growing independence in orbital construction and crewed station operations.
Liu Yang’s role in these landmark missions reflects both the technical maturity of the Chinese space programme and the increasing participation of women in scientific and defence-related fields. Her legacy is deeply intertwined with China’s aspiration to establish a sustained human presence in space.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Full Name: Liu Yang
• Date of Birth: 6 October 1978
• Place of Birth: Zhengzhou, Henan, China
• Occupation: Military Pilot, Taikonaut
• First Spaceflight: Shenzhou 9 (June 2012) – First Chinese woman in space
• Second Spaceflight: Shenzhou 14 (June 2022) – Space station assembly mission
• EVA Conducted: 1 (approximately six hours)
• Flight Hours before Selection: Around 1,680
• Affiliation: People’s Liberation Army Air Force and China National Space Administration