One hundred and eleven days spent in orbit established Nie Haisheng as a significant figure in the history of the Chinese space program. As an active major general in the People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force and the third commander of the PLA Astronaut Corps, he remains one of only two Chinese astronauts to have completed three distinct space missions.
Military Service and Aviation Career
Born in 1964 in Yangdang Town, Hubei Province, Nie joined the People's Liberation Army Air Force in June 1983. He received his formal aviation training at the PLAAF Seventh Flight Academy, graduating in 1987. During his tenure as a fighter pilot, he demonstrated precision under duress. On 12 June 1989, he experienced a severe mechanical failure while flying at 13,000 feet. After his engine failed and the cockpit temperature rose, he maintained control of the aircraft until reaching an altitude of 400 to 500 meters before successfully ejecting. This maneuver earned him a third-class merit.
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Nie was selected for the national spaceflight program in January 1998, eventually becoming one of the final three candidates for the inaugural Shenzhou 5 mission. His first spaceflight occurred on 12 October 2005 during the Shenzhou 6 mission, where he served as a flight engineer alongside commander Fei Junlong. During this five-day expedition, he celebrated his 41st birthday in orbit. By 2013, he achieved the rank of major general, becoming the first officer to hold such a rank at the time of launch when he commanded the Shenzhou 10 mission to the Tiangong 1 prototype space station.
Record-Setting Command of Tiangong
In December 2019, he was selected for his third mission, Shenzhou 12. Launched on 17 June 2021, the crew became the first to visit the operational Tiangong space station. During this mission, he conducted his first spacewalk on 20 August 2021. By the conclusion of the mission, he had set a national record for the longest cumulative time spent in space by a Chinese astronaut, surpassing the 100-day threshold. His contributions to the aerospace field have been recognized with the Spaceflight Exploit Medal in 2005, 2013, and 2021, and the August 1 Medal in 2022. Additionally, the asteroid 9517 Niehaisheng is named in his honor.
Fast facts
- Born: 13 October 1964, Zaoyang City
- Military Rank: Shao Jiang (Major General)
- Education: PLA Air Force Aviation University
- Space Missions: Shenzhou 6, Shenzhou 10, Shenzhou 12
- First Spacewalk: 20 August 2021
- Spouse: Nie Jielin
- Major Awards: August 1 Medal (2022), Spaceflight Exploit Medal (2005, 2013, 2021)
Questions readers ask
How many times has Nie Haisheng traveled to space?
He has flown three times: on Shenzhou 6, Shenzhou 10, and Shenzhou 12.
What is his role within the PLA Astronaut Corps?
He currently serves as the third commander of the corps.
Achievements
- Educated at PLA Air Force Aviation University
- Worked as astronaut and fighter pilot
