Zhai Zhigang
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Zhai Zhigang (Chinese: 翟志刚) (born 10 October 1966) is a Chinese pilot selected as part of the Shenzhou program.
Zhai was born in Longjiang County, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang province. He enrolled at the People's Liberation Army Air Force Aviation Institute, became a fighter pilot, then as a squadron leader. Despite logging only 1000 hours of flying time, he became Lieutenant Colonel and a pilot trainer in the PLAFF.
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[edit] Career as an astronaut
In 1996 Lieutenant Colonel Zhai was selected to trial for the astronaut program and was selected to be the first group of fourteen in 1998. He was one of three astronauts who were part of the final group to train for the Shenzhou 5 flight. Yang Liwei was picked for the flight, with Zhai Zhigang ranked second ahead of Nie Haisheng. Zhai was one of the six astronauts in the final training for Shenzhou 6. The Ta Kung Pao newspaper had reported that Zhai Zhigang and Nie Haisheng were the leading pair, after having been in the final group of three for Shenzhou 5. However, Zhai had been paired with Wu Jie during training. Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng flew the flight.
[edit] Personal life
Zhai favourite pastimes are calligraphy, likes to dance and enjoys tinkering with gadgets. He is married to Zhang Shujing and has one son.
[edit] Trivia
The name Zhai Zhiguang was also used on a character in a popular Chinese TV drama "The Empty Mirror" in 1996.
[edit] External links
- "We want to fly higher for China: stories of Zhai Zhigang", PLA Daily, 2003-10-22.
- Zhai Zhigang at the Encyclopedia Astronautica. Accessed 22 July 2005.
- Spacefacts biography of Zhai Zhigang
- "China Prepares for Shenzhou VI Space Flight 13 October - Agency", China News Service, 24 September 2005.
- Zhai Zhigang
