The journey of astronauts Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng will follow earlier missions into space made by 7 Chinese citizens and people of Chinese heritage.
Talor Gun-Jin Wang:Wang was born in Jiangsu province. He became the first Chinese to travel into space, making the journey as a member aboard the STS-51B Challenger in 1985.
Franklin Ramon Chang-Diaz: Born in Costa Rica, Chang-Diaz's heritage can be traced back to Guangdong province. On Jan 12, 1986, he undertook his first mission into outer space.
Leroy Chiao: Born in the US state of Wisconsin in 1950, Chiao's ancestors had come from Shandong province. He flew as a mission specialist for three flights - in 1994, 1996 and 2000.
Edward Tsang Lu: Born in the US state of Massachusetts to first-generation Chinese immigrants, he was aboard the STS-84 mission in 1997 and the STS-106 mission in 2000.
Yang Liwei: Born in Suizhong, Liaoning province, in 1965, Yang became China's first astronaut, piloting the Shenzhou V spacecraft.
Fei Junlong: Born in 1965 in Kunshan, Jiangsu province. In Oct 12, 2005, he and Nie Haisheng piloted the Shenzhou VI.
Nie Haisheng: Born in 1964 in Hubei province. He and Fei Junlong undertook the Shenzhou VI.
Source:China Daily
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