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Celestial Journeys

A comprehensive overview of the individuals who have journeyed beyond Earth's atmosphere, charting China's path in space exploration.

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Introduction

Defining "Taikonaut"

This compilation details the astronauts trained by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) for commanding, piloting, or serving as crew members aboard spacecraft. While the term "taikonaut" is frequently used in media, it is not an officially recognized designation within China. The standard English term employed by the CNSA is simply "astronauts" (Chinese: 航天员; pinyin: hángtiānyuán).

China's Spacefaring Nation

The development of China's human spaceflight program represents a significant advancement in global space exploration. The nation's journey began with ambitious plans in the late 1960s and early 1970s, culminating in the successful launch of its first astronaut, Yang Liwei, in 2003. This achievement positioned China as the third country, after the Soviet Union and the United States, to independently send humans into space.

Early Aspirations and Setbacks

Initial proposals for crewed spacecraft, such as the Shuguang One project in the 1970s, aimed to send the first Chinese astronaut into space by 1973. A cohort of 19 astronauts was selected in 1971 for this program. However, political and scientific challenges led to the project's suspension, delaying China's independent human spaceflight capabilities. Notably, Taylor Wang, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in China, became the first ethnically Chinese person in space in 1985 aboard a NASA mission.

Milestones in History

The PLA Astronaut Corps

The formal establishment of the People's Liberation Army Astronaut Corps in 1998 marked a pivotal moment, laying the groundwork for the Shenzhou program. This dedicated corps was responsible for selecting and training astronauts for China's ambitious human spaceflight endeavors.

Yang Liwei: The First

On October 15, 2003, Yang Liwei made history by launching aboard the Shenzhou 5 spacecraft. His successful mission not only marked China's debut in human spaceflight but also established the nation as a major player in space exploration.

Zhai Zhigang: The Spacewalk

During the Shenzhou 7 mission in 2008, Zhai Zhigang achieved another significant milestone by performing China's first extravehicular activity (EVA), commonly known as a spacewalk. This demonstrated advanced capabilities in space operations.

Liu Yang & Wang Yaping: Pioneering Women

Liu Yang became the first Chinese woman in space aboard Shenzhou 9 in 2012, also docking with the Tiangong-1 space laboratory. Later, Wang Yaping, who had previously flown on Shenzhou 10, became the first Chinese woman to conduct a spacewalk during the Shenzhou 13 mission in 2021.

Gui Haichao: The Civilian Specialist

In 2023, Gui Haichao flew on the Shenzhou 16 mission, becoming the first civilian astronaut not affiliated with the PLA Astronaut Corps and the first mission payload specialist. This marked a new phase in astronaut selection, broadening the scope beyond military pilots.

Wang Haoze: The Engineer

Wang Haoze, on the Shenzhou 19 mission in 2024, is noted as the third Chinese woman in space and the first Chinese female aerospace flight engineer, highlighting the increasing diversity and specialization within the astronaut corps.

Flown Astronauts

Astronaut Mission Roster

As of April 2025, twenty-six Chinese nationals have undertaken spaceflights. The following table details these pioneering individuals, their missions, and notable achievements:

Astronaut Selection Groups

Shuguang Group (1970)

The initial selection for the Shuguang One project, comprising 19 individuals, represented the earliest formal step towards China's human spaceflight ambitions, though the program was ultimately suspended.

  • Chai Hongliang
  • Dong Xiaohai
  • Du Jincheng
  • Fang Guojun
  • Hu Zhanzi
  • Li Shichang
  • Liu Chongfu
  • Liu Zhongyi
  • Lu Xiangxiao
  • Ma Zizhong
  • Meng Senlin
  • Shao Zhijian
  • Wang Fuhe
  • Wang Fuquan
  • Wang Quanbo
  • Wang Rongsen
  • Wang Zhiyue
  • Yu Guilin
  • Zhang Ruxiang

Group 1 (1996/1998)

Selected in October 1996 and January 1998, this group included the astronauts who would fly the early Shenzhou missions, including Yang Liwei and Zhai Zhigang. Some members were designated as backup crew or retired before flying.

  • Li Qinglong (Retired)
  • Wu Jie (Retired)
  • Chen Quan (Retired)
  • Deng Qingming (Shenzhou 15)
  • Fei Junlong (Shenzhou 6, Shenzhou 15)
  • Jing Haipeng (Shenzhou 7, 9, 11, 16)
  • Liu Boming (Shenzhou 7, 12)
  • Liu Wang (Shenzhou 9)
  • Nie Haisheng (Shenzhou 6, 10, 12)
  • Pan Zhanchun (Retired)
  • Yang Liwei (Shenzhou 5)
  • Zhai Zhigang (Shenzhou 7, 13)
  • Zhang Xiaoguang (Shenzhou 10)
  • Zhao Chuandong (Retired)

Bold indicates astronauts who have flown in space.

Group 2 (2010)

This group, selected in March 2010, included astronauts who would participate in later Shenzhou missions and contribute to the Tiangong program.

  • Cai Xuzhe (Shenzhou 14, Shenzhou 19)
  • Chen Dong (Shenzhou 11, 14, 20)
  • Liu Yang (Shenzhou 9, 14)
  • Tang Hongbo (Shenzhou 12, 17)
  • Wang Yaping (Shenzhou 10, 13)
  • Ye Guangfu (Shenzhou 13, 18)
  • Zhang Lu (Shenzhou 15)

Bold indicates astronauts who have flown in space.

Group 3 (2020)

Announced in October 2020, this group expanded the astronaut corps with new pilots, flight engineers, and payload specialists, including the first civilian astronaut.

  • Gui Haichao (Shenzhou 16)
  • Zhu Yangzhu (Shenzhou 16)
  • Tang Shengjie (Shenzhou 17)
  • Jiang Xinlin (Shenzhou 17)
  • Li Cong (Shenzhou 18)
  • Li Guangsu (Shenzhou 18)
  • Song Lingdong (Shenzhou 19)
  • Wang Haoze (Shenzhou 19)
  • Chen Zhongrui (Shenzhou 20)
  • Wang Jie (Shenzhou 20)

Bold indicates astronauts who have flown in space.

Group 4 (2022)

Selected in October 2022, this group includes pilots and spaceflight engineers, notably incorporating candidates from Hong Kong and Macau, signaling an expansion of China's space program's reach.

Ten candidates were announced in June 2024, including 8 spacecraft pilots and 2 payload specialists from Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR. Specific names are still emerging as training progresses.

The Space Program Context

Shenzhou Program

The Shenzhou program is China's human spaceflight initiative, responsible for launching astronauts into orbit. The spacecraft, named after the Chinese word for "divine vessel," has evolved through multiple generations, enabling increasingly complex missions, including rendezvous, docking, and long-duration stays in space.

Tiangong Space Station

The development of the Tiangong space station represents the pinnacle of China's human spaceflight achievements. This modular orbital outpost serves as a national space laboratory, facilitating scientific research and long-term human presence in low Earth orbit. Astronauts from the Shenzhou program regularly crew the station.

References

Source Citations

The information presented on this page is derived from publicly available data, primarily the Wikipedia article on the List of Chinese astronauts.

  1. Shuguang 1. (n.d.). Retrieved from [Source URL Placeholder]
  2. Xi, Qixin; Fan, Juwei; Liu, Cheng. (2003, October 17). Birth of Chinese Astronauts. Xinhua.net. Retrieved from [Source URL Placeholder]
  3. Shenzhou 5. (n.d.). Retrieved from [Source URL Placeholder]
  4. Shenzhou 7. (n.d.). Retrieved from [Source URL Placeholder]
  5. Amos, Jonathan. (2012, June 18). Shenzhou-9 docks with Tiangong-1. BBC News. Retrieved from [Source URL Placeholder]
  6. Shenzhou-13 Crew Conducts First Extravehicular Activities, Wang Yaping Becomes First Female Chinese Astronaut to Spacewalk. (2021, November 8). Pandaily. Retrieved from [Source URL Placeholder]
  7. China to send its first civilian astronaut into space. (2023, May 29). Al Jazeera. Retrieved from [Source URL Placeholder]
  8. Wang Haoze, a member of the Shenzhou 19 crew, graduated from Southeast University with a bachelor's and master's degree. She is currently the only female aerospace flight engineer in my country. (2024, October 29). Xinhua News Agency. Retrieved from [Source URL Placeholder]
  9. Xue, Yanwen; Shan, Ruchao; Li, Xiaofan. (2018, January 24). Chinese Astronauts: Dedicated to Space Flight, Remain True to Original Intention. Xinhua News Agency. Retrieved from [Source URL Placeholder]
  10. China 2. (n.d.). Retrieved from [Source URL Placeholder]
  11. Names of China's Secret Astronauts Revealed by Autographed Envelope. (2011, December 7). Space.com. Retrieved from [Source URL Placeholder]
  12. 18 picked for nation's 3rd generation of astronauts. (n.d.). China Daily. Retrieved from [Source URL Placeholder]
  13. China begins recruitment for 4th batch of astronauts. (2022, October 4). Space.com. Retrieved from [Source URL Placeholder]
  14. Jones, Andrew. (2024, June 11). China selects new batch of astronauts with an eye on the moon. SpaceNews. Retrieved from [Source URL Placeholder]
  15. Jones, Andrew. (2024, October 29). China selects 2 proposals for crewed moon rover. SpaceNews. Retrieved from [Source URL Placeholder]

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References

References

  1.  China 2, spacefacts.de
  2.  Space.com, "Names of China's Secret Astronauts Revealed by Autographed Envelope", Robert Z. Pearlman, 7 December 2011
A full list of references for this article are available at the List of Chinese astronauts Wikipedia page

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Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional consultation or expertise in aerospace engineering, history, or related fields. Always refer to official documentation and consult with qualified professionals for specific inquiries.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.