Zhai Zhigang

Infobox Astronaut
name = Zhai Zhigang

---

width = 150px
caption =
type = CNSA Astronaut
nationality = flagicon|China Chinese
status = Active
date_birth = birth date and age|1966|10|10
place_birth = Longjiang County, Qiqihar
date_death =
place_death =
occupation = Fighter pilot
current_occupation =
previous_occupation =
rank = Lieutenant Colonel, PLAAF
time = 2d 20h 18m
selection = Chinese Group 1
mission = Shenzhou 7
insignia =
Date of ret =

Zhai Zhigang (zh-stp|s=翟志刚|t=翟志剛|p=Zhái Zhìgāng; born October 10, 1966) is a CNSA astronaut and an officer in the People's Liberation Army Air Force. On the 2008 Shenzhou 7 mission, he became the first Chinese national to carry out a spacewalk. [http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080916/wl_asia_afp/chinaspace Fighter pilot to be China's first space walker: govt]

Early career

Zhai was born in Longjiang County, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang province. He enrolled at the People's Liberation Army Air Force Aviation Institute and studied to be a fighter pilot and then as a squadron leader. Zhai became a Lieutenant Colonel and pilot trainer in the PLAAF after logging just 1000 hours of flying time.Fact|date=September 2008

CNSA career

In 1996, Zhai was selected to trial for the astronaut program and was selected to be the first group of fourteen in 1998. He was one of three members of the final group to train for the "Shenzhou 5" (神舟五号) flight. Yang Liwei was picked for the flight, with Zhai Zhigang ranked second ahead of Nie Haisheng. Zhai was one of the six astronauts in the final training for "Shenzhou 6" (神舟六号). The "Ta Kung Pao" newspaper had reported that Zhai Zhigang and Nie Haisheng were the leading pair, after having been in the final group of three for "Shenzhou 5". However, Zhai had been paired with Wu Jie during training. Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng flew the flight.

Zhai, along with Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng were selected for prime crew on "Shenzhou 7" (神舟七号), with Zhai as commander, on 17 September 2008. On 25 September 2008, at 21:10 CST, they launched into space as the first three-man crew for China, China's third human spaceflight mission. [ CCTV1 live telecast ] [ http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-09/26/content_7060750.htm ] On 27 September 2008, Zhai became the first Chinese astronaut to spacewalk, completely outside the craft. Fellow crew member Liu Boming stood by at the airlock and could be seen straddling the portal. Zhai successfully completed his spacewalk at 18:25 CST. [ CCTV4 live telecast ] Zhai wore the Chinese developed Feitian space suit (飞天), while Liu wore the Russian derived Orlan-M space suit, translated in Chinese as "Haiying" or "Sea Eagle" (海鹰).

Personal life

Zhai's favourite pastimes are calligraphy, dancing and gadgets. He is married to Zhang Shujing and has one son.

References

External links

*cite news|url=http://english.pladaily.com.cn/english/pladaily/2003/10/22/20031022001021_MilitaryNews.html| title=We want to fly higher for China: stories of Zhai Zhigang|publisher=PLA Daily|date=2003-10-22
* [http://www.astronautix.com/astros/zhaigang.htm Zhai Zhigang] at the Encyclopedia Astronautica. Accessed 22 July 2005.
* [http://www.spacefacts.de/bios/international/english/zhai_zhigang.htm Spacefacts biography of Zhai Zhigang]
*cite news|url=http://www.rednova.com/news/space/250050/china_prepares_for_shenzhou_vi_space_flight_13_october_/|title=China Prepares for Shenzhou VI Space Flight 13 October - Agency|publisher=China News Service|date=24 September 2005