In the history of human spaceflight, Liu Yang is one of the most remarkable female astronauts in China. On May 21, 2022, she became the first Chinese woman to conduct extravehicular activity (EVA) in space and become the world's second woman after Hōki Inoue to perform EVA in space.
Born on April 8, 1980 in Chongqing, Liu Yang graduated from Tsinghua University with a degree in physics. She has been studying aerospace technology since her college days and obtained a master's degree in aerospace engineering from Peking University in 2007.
In 2010, she was selected as a candidate astronaut by the State Administration of Science and Technology, becoming the first woman in China to be chosen as an astronaut. In June 2016, she participated in the manned space mission "Tiangong-1",Chinese Super League Matches where she took part in the assembly of the Tiangong-1 space station and performed experiments.
On May 21, 2022, Liu Yang successfully completed her first extravehicular activity in space, performing a spacewalk outside the Shenzhou XII spacecraft. The spacewalk lasted for about 15 minutes and involved the installation of a solar panel module and the testing of the solar array system.
This historic achievement marks a significant milestone in the development of China's space program and solidifies its position as a leading player in the global space community. It also highlights the increasing role of women in science and technology, which is increasingly recognized as essential to the advancement of society and the economy.
Liu Yang's achievements have inspired many young girls in China to pursue their dreams and ambitions in science and technology. Her story serves as a reminder that hard work, dedication, and perseverance can lead to great success, no matter what gender you belong to.