China will launch Shenzhou 9 spacecraft at just after half past six this evening. Crew members include two men and China's first ever female astronaut.

Jing Haipeng, born in 1966, is Shenzhou-9's commander.

He served as a fighter pilot in the People's Liberation Army Air Force for 8 years.

He has over 1,200 hours of safe flying time under his belt, and was selected by China's National Space Administration to be an astronaut in 1998.

In 2005, Jing was selected as a crew member for the Shenzhou-6 mission. And in 2008, he also joined the Shenzhou-7 mission. He has been awarded the honor of "Space Hero".

Liu Wang, 42, served in the PLA for 6 years. With 1,000 hours of flying time, he is a second grade Pilot of the PLA.

In 1998, he was selected to be an astronaut. Liu is known as the youngest member of China's first generation of astronauts.

Liu Yang, born in October 1978, is a heroic pilot who once successfully dealt with a mid-air emergency.

She has served in the PLA for 9 years, with 1,680 hours of safe flying time to her name.

In 2010, she became a member of the second generation of Chinese astronauts.

Liu Yang will become China's first female astronaut. It means China will become the third country, after the former Soviet Union, and the US, to send a woman into space using its own technology.

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)