Liu Yang

Liu Yang – Life, Career, and Notable Contributions

Explore the inspiring journey of Liu Yang — China’s first female astronaut, her missions, background, achievements, and the legacy she’s building among China’s space pioneers.

Introduction

Liu Yang (刘洋), born on October 6, 1978, is celebrated as China’s first woman in space. As a military transport pilot turned taikonaut, she broke barriers for Chinese women in astronautics, participated in two major space missions, and played key roles in advancing China’s human spaceflight program. Her story blends technical acumen, perseverance, and a strong sense of duty — both to her country and to inspiring the next generation.

Early Life and Family

Liu Yang was born in Zhengzhou, Henan province, China, though her ancestral roots trace to Linzhou in Anyang.

In school, Liu Yang was academically strong, especially in STEM subjects.

Youth, Education & Entry into Aviation

In 1997, Liu Yang joined the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force. Air Force Aviation University in Changchun, where she trained to become a military transport pilot. 1,680 hours of safe flight time before her selection as an astronaut.

In her Air Force service, she rose through the ranks and became deputy head of her flight unit.

Astronaut Career & Space Missions

Selection & Training

In 2010, Liu Yang was selected as part of China’s second group of astronaut candidates (the second batch) — which notably included female candidates.

Her selection reflected China's intention to include women in its expanding human spaceflight efforts.

Shenzhou 9 – First Flight (2012)

On June 16, 2012, Liu Yang flew aboard Shenzhou 9 with fellow astronauts Jing Haipeng and Liu Wang. the first Chinese woman in space.

During the mission, the spacecraft achieved manned docking with Tiangong-1 (China’s experimental space lab). Liu was tasked with performing scientific experiments in space medicine and assisting with the mission operations. 13 days before safely returning on June 29, 2012.

This mission also drew symbolic parallels: her flight date, June 16, was exactly 49 years after cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova's historic flight on June 16, 1963.

Shenzhou 14 – Extended Mission (2022)

A decade later, on June 5, 2022, Liu Yang launched aboard Shenzhou 14 to the Tiangong space station. one spacewalk (EVA) lasting about 6 hours 7 minutes. 195 days in space.

Her EVA made her the second Chinese woman to perform a spacewalk.

Historical & National Context

Liu Yang’s achievements came amid China’s ambitious push to become a major space power. The inclusion of a female astronaut in 2012 was a milestone both technically and symbolically — showing that China intended for its human spaceflight program to reflect broader societal progress and gender inclusion.

Her flights bridged China’s early space station experimentation (Tiangong-1) to the more complex, longer-duration space station era.

Moreover, Liu’s presence in China's astronaut cadre highlights the evolving role of women in Chinese science, technology, and defense sectors — serving as an inspiration for more female participation in STEM.

Personality, Traits & Beyond the Cockpit

Reports and interviews describe Liu Yang as intellectually curious, calm under pressure, and articulate in public speaking.

Outside her professional role, she has taken on civic responsibilities. She was appointed as a part-time vice-chairwoman of the All-China Women’s Federation.

Liu Yang is married to Zhang Hua (张华), and the couple have two children (a daughter and a son).

Selected Quotes & Thoughts

While public records of Liu Yang’s personal quotes are less abundant than some more public-facing figures, here are a few remarks that reflect her mindset and motivations:

• On her role: “As China’s first female astronaut, I carry not only myself but also the hopes of many women.” (often paraphrased in media coverage)

• On perseverance: during training, she reportedly said that when dizziness overwhelmed her during centrifuge exercises, she would distract her mind and force endurance to push through.

• Reflecting on her two missions, she has spoken about the stride in China’s space program — from the simpler Tiangong-1 era to the complexity of station construction, calling it a “decade of great leaps.”

Lessons from Liu Yang’s Journey

1. Breaking barriers matters. Being the first woman in a domain opens doors for those who follow.

2. Technical excellence is paired with resilience. Spaceflight demands not just intelligence, but mental and physical grit.

3. Symbolism and substance in leadership. Liu’s role is both operational and symbolic, showing integration of competence and representation.

4. Long term commitment. Her return to space after a decade underlines that contributions to large-scale projects often span years or decades.

5. Balance and multidimensional life. She has balanced service, family, education, and public engagement — a model for modern professionals.

Conclusion

Liu Yang’s story is emblematic of a new chapter in human space exploration: one where boundaries of gender are challenged, and national ambition meets individual dedication. She moved from a pilot to a trailblazing astronaut, becoming a symbol of possibility for many in China and beyond. Her missions, and the roles she continues to take on, reflect that being a pioneer is not a moment — it’s a sustained journey.

May her life encourage more to look upward, pursue rigorous training, and believe that the next frontier is open to all.