Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

China's First Female Astronaut Blasts Off

Liu Yang is part of first manned docking at space lab

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 16, 2012 6:27 AM CDT

(Newser) – China's space program hit two milestones today, one of the cultural variety. On the latter, its first female astronaut blasted into space, reports the BBC. Liu Yang, 33, is one of three astronauts who lifted off aboard the Shenzhou-9 capsule to spend a week in orbit at China's Tiangong space lab. Liu, a fighter pilot, will run the science experiments. As for the other milestone, this is China's first manned docking at the space lab.

China's first female astronaut, Liu Yang, waves during a press conference.
China's first female astronaut, Liu Yang, waves during a press conference.   (Getty Images)
China's first female astronaut, Liu Yang.
China's first female astronaut, Liu Yang.   (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
China's astronauts from left., Liu Yang, Liu Wang, and Jing Haipeng wave before they depart for the launch pad at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan, China.
China's astronauts from left., Liu Yang, Liu Wang, and Jing Haipeng wave before they depart for the launch pad at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan, China.   (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
2%
11%
5%
68%
5%
9%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
mehrheit
Jun 16, 2012 2:30 PM CDT
Congratulations to China and Ms. Liu.
AznPandaMan
Jun 16, 2012 1:28 PM CDT
Next Head line is CHINA starts first space prostitution ring what does zero G sex feel like......HAHHHAHA
DeafDrudge
Jun 16, 2012 12:11 PM CDT
Hope they've planned the trip around that "time of the month"!
 

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   World History Project   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne