Shenzhou-7

Zhai Zhigang

• Birthday: 10/10/1966
• Role: Commander
• Nationality: Chinese
• First Flight: 09/25/2008
• Last Flight: 10/15/2021

Zhai Zhigang (born October 10, 1966) is a major general in the People’s Liberation Army Air Force and a CNSA astronaut. During the Shenzhou 7 mission in 2008, he became the first Chinese citizen to carry out a spacewalk.

Liu Boming

• Birthday: 09/16/1966
• Role: Orbital module astronaut
• Nationality: Chinese
• First Flight: 09/25/2008
• Last Flight: 06/17/2021

Liu Boming (simplified Chinese: 刘伯明; traditional Chinese: 劉伯明; pinyin: Líu Bómíng; born September 1966) is a Chinese pilot selected as part of the Shenzhou program. A fighter pilot in the People’s Liberation Army Air Force, he was selected to be an CNSA member in 1998.

Jing Haipeng

• Birthday: 10/24/1966
• Role: Descent module monitor astronaut
• Nationality: Chinese
• First Flight: 09/25/2008
• Last Flight: 05/30/2023

Jing Haipeng (simplified Chinese: 景海鹏; traditional Chinese: 景海鵬; pinyin: Jǐng Hǎipéng; born October 24, 1966) is a Chinese pilot and astronaut selected as part of the Shenzhou program. A fighter pilot in the People’s Liberation Army Air Force, he was selected to be a CNSA astronaut in 1998. He is the first Chinese astronaut to have flown on three missions: Shenzhou 7, Shenzhou 9 and Shenzhou 11.

Shenzhou-7

• Type: Human Exploration
• Orbit: Low Earth Orbit

This is the third crewed mission for China’s Shenzhou program. Shenzhou-7 began its mission by bringing Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng into low Earth orbit. It was the first Chinese mission to have a three-person crew. During their 3 days in orbit, astronauts performed a number of tasks, including the first Chinese EVA carried out by Zhai Zhingang and Liu Boming. Shenzhou-7 deorbited and landed safely back on Earth on 28 September.

Launch Area 4 (SLS-1 / 921)

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People’s Republic of China

Launch Area 4 (SLS-1 / 921) has witnessed the launch of 22 rockets, including 22 orbital launch attempts, while Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People’s Republic of China, has been the site for 222 rocket launches.

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 2F

The Long March 2F is a Chinese orbital carrier rocket, part of the Long March 2 rocket family. Designed to launch the crewed Shenzhou spacecraft, the Long March 2F is a human-rated two-stage version of the Long March 2E rocket, which in turn was based on the Long March 2C launch vehicle. It is launched from complex SLS at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground equipment. It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956.