Zhai Zhigang first chinese astronaut to spacewalk

Photo: Zhai Zhigang is the first chinese astronaut to spacewalk

Zhai Zhigang, a CSNA astronaut and an officer in the People’s Liberation Army Air Force, is the first Chinese national to carry out a spacewalk. On September 25, 2008, Zhai Zhigang along with crew members and fellow pilots, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng, on Shenzhou 7, went on China’s third manned space mission. This was China’s first three-man crew launch and also its third spaceflight mission.

Zhai Zhigang became China’s first astronaut to spacewalk completely outside the spacecraft, on September 27, 2008.

Zhai Zhigang stayed outside the craft for a full 13 minutes, completing his spacewalk at 18:25 CST, while crew member Liu Boming stood by at the airlock and straddled the portal. Zhai Zhigang released a satellite that broadcasted his spacewalk.

Photo: Zhai Zhigang felicitated after he returned from Scenzhou 7

During the mission, Zhai Zhigang had worn a China-made heavy pressurised spacesuit, costing some 100 million yuan (£8 million). Fellow crew member Liu Boming wore a Russian-developed Orlan-M space-suit, translated in Chinese as Haiying or “Sea Eagle.”

Zhai Zhigang, now 42 years old, was born in Longjiang County, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang province. He was brought up by his mother who used to sell sunflower seeds so she could educate her children.

Zhai Zhigang started his career with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force Aviation Institute where he trained to be a fighter pilot. Zhai Zhigang became a sqadron leader and then a Lieutenant Colonel. After clocking 1000 hours of flight time, he became a pilot trainer in the People’s liberation Army Air Force. He was selected in a group of fourteen in 1998, for an astronaut program trial. Zhai Zhigang was one of the three who were chosed to train for the Shenzhou 5 flight. However, he missed the chance to be China’s first astronaut to be sent into orbit, on the Shenzhou V spacecraft in 2003. Instead Yang Liwei, who was sent on the Shenzhou 5 flight, became the first Chinese astronaut to do so.

Photo: Zhai Zhigang

After that, Zhai was one of the six astronauts chosen for the final training for the Shenzhou 6 mission, in 2005. Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng completed a five-day flight on Shenzhou 6.

Zhai Zhigang

On September 17, 2008, Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming, and Jing Haipeng were chosen as the main crew on Shenzhou 7. Zhai Zhigang was chosen as the commander for the Shenzhou 7 mission.

Zhai Zhizang has been quoted as saying, “It was a glorious mission, full of challenges with a successful end. We feel proud of the motherland.”

Zhang Shujing

Zhai Zhizgang is married to Zhang Shujing and has one son. Zhai Zhigang enjoys gadgets, dancing, and calligraphy.