China's First Female Astronaut, Liu Yang: From Shenzhou-9 to Shenzhou-11, She Never Stopped Reaching for the Stars

China's First Female Astronaut, Liu Yang: From Shenzhou-9 to Shenzhou-11, She Never Stopped Reaching for the StarsI. From Pilot to Astronaut: Liu Yang's Journey of Pursuing DreamsOver these 12 years, Liu Yang, with her outstanding flying skills and courage, flawlessly completed numerous flight missions

China's First Female Astronaut, Liu Yang: From Shenzhou-9 to Shenzhou-11, She Never Stopped Reaching for the Stars

June 16, 2012, marked a momentous day for China's space program. On this date, Ms. Liu Yang successfully launched into space aboard the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft, becoming China's first female astronaut. The mission aimed to verify the ability of the Tianzhou spacecraft to rendezvous and dock with the ground, and to assess the capabilities of astronauts in living and working in space. It also showcased China's advanced technologies in areas like oxygen supply, environmental control, and ground control.

Liu Yang's 12-day journey into space brought significant advancements to China's space program. However, surprisingly, she disappeared from the public eye after returning to Earth, and news about her became scarce. This sparked curiosity about what happened to Liu Yang and why she chose to fade from public view.

I. From Pilot to Astronaut: Liu Yang's Journey of Pursuing Dreams

Liu Yang's journey into space wasn't a sudden leap but stemmed from her love for the skies and her pursuit of dreams. In 1980, she resolutely chose to join the military and successfully passed the pilot recruitment exam, joining the Air Force. Within the Air Force, Liu Yang showcased extraordinary flying talent. She excelled in combat bomber piloting and was a standout in all aspects of her work. In 1985, she was admitted to the Changchun Flight Academy with excellent grades, embarking on a 12-year long flight career.

Over these 12 years, Liu Yang, with her outstanding flying skills and courage, flawlessly completed numerous flight missions. She particularly distinguished herself during disaster relief efforts, successfully flying over the Thames River while on duty. Liu Yang's exceptional flying skills were not only awe-inspiring but also formed the solid foundation for her entry into the world of spaceflight.

II. A Moment of Glory as the First Female Astronaut: From Shenzhou-9 to Shenzhou-11

In 1997, due to her remarkable contributions to aviation technology, Liu Yang successfully entered the list of astronaut candidates, marking a turning point in her life. In May 2012, she joined the astronaut training team and, with her outstanding abilities, became one of the first group of astronauts. After undergoing rigorous professional training, Liu Yang finally boarded Shenzhou-9, embarking on her journey into space.

During the 12-day spaceflight, Liu Yang demonstrated a meticulous and dedicated work ethic, successfully completing the tests of her ability to live and work in space. She even left a 3-meter-long inscription on the spacecraft wall, inspiring the Chinese people.

In May 2016, Liu Yang once again launched into space, carrying out the second rendezvous and docking mission with the Tiangong-2 space laboratory. In this mission, alongside Zhang Hui and Chen Dong, Liu Yang successfully achieved the mission objectives. During the docking of the spacecraft with Tiangong-2, she displayed a high level of professionalism and calm judgment, ultimately returning safely to Earth.

Liu Yang's outstanding performance and contributions to the space program earned her the honor of the Second-Class Space Merit Medal.

III. Taking Off the Uniform and Continuing to Shine: Liu Yang's Legacy Continues

In 2016, Liu Yang retired from the astronaut program, but she did not choose to retire at home. Instead, she opted to continue contributing to China's space program. She actively participated in space science outreach activities, sharing her knowledge and experience to educate others about space and inspire their passion for space exploration.

Liu Yang's experiences and contributions go beyond her achievements in space. They lie in her love and dedication to China's space program, her encouragement and inspiration for future female astronauts.

Liu Yang once said in an interview that women have unique advantages in astronaut selection. She believes that women pay more attention to detail and focus on technology, constantly improving their flying skills, allowing them to better complete their missions. She likens spaceflight to the relationship between a captain and crew, noting that as long as the direction of travel is correct, success is guaranteed.

IV. Looking Toward the Future, Journeying Together to the Stars: The Significance of Liu Yang's Era

As China's first female astronaut, Liu Yang's appearance shattered the doubts people had about women's capabilities in the spaceflight field, opening up the doors to space dreams for countless women. Each of her space missions has accumulated valuable experience for China's space program, laying a solid foundation for future female astronauts to explore the cosmos.

Liu Yang's incredible story belongs not only to her but also to all Chinese spaceflight professionals. They hold onto the initial aspiration to "catch up with and surpass world-leading levels" and the belief in "selfless dedication." They fearlessly face challenges, dare to fight, and embrace an open and inclusive attitude, contributing to the vigorous development of China's space program.

Conclusion

Liu Yang's journey into space is not only her personal achievement but also a significant milestone in the development of China's space program. She has proven through her actions the capabilities and potential of women in the spaceflight field, providing a role model for more women to pursue their dreams.

The development of China's space program knows no limits, and the story of Liu Yang is far from over. Her legend continues, and her spirit will continue to inspire more people to reach for the vastness of space.

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