Tang Hongbo holds the distinction of being the first taikonaut to visit the Tiangong space station on two separate occasions. His career trajectory within the People's Liberation Army Astronaut Corps has been defined by his contributions to the development of the Chinese orbital laboratory, marked by multiple extravehicular activities and long-duration spaceflights that have established him as a key figure in national space missions.
Early Career and Military Service
Born in October 1975 in Yunhuqiao, Xiangtan County, Hunan, Tang Hongbo entered the People's Liberation Army Air Force in September 1995. He progressed through the ranks to serve as a fighter pilot and eventually achieved the position of group commander within a fighter jet regiment. His formal education was conducted at the PLA Air Force Aviation University, where he refined the skills that would later qualify him for advanced aviation assignments.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Astronaut Selection and Shenzhou 12
In May 2010, Tang was selected as part of the second group of astronauts for the People's Liberation Army Astronaut Corps. Before his first spaceflight, he served as an alternate crew member for the Shenzhou 11 mission in May 2016. He eventually flew as a system operator during the Shenzhou 12 mission, which served as the first crewed visit to the Tiangong space station. During this mission, he and crew member Liu Boming performed the first extravehicular activity at the facility on 4 July 2021.
Commanding Shenzhou 17
Tang returned to the Tiangong space station on 26 October 2023, serving as commander of the Shenzhou 17 mission alongside crew members Jiang Xinlin and Tang Shengjie. His responsibilities during this deployment included extensive maintenance and research tasks. He conducted additional spacewalks on 21 December 2023 and 2 March 2024, with durations of 7 hours and 25 minutes and 7 hours and 52 minutes respectively. By May 2024, he had accumulated 279 days in space, a record for Chinese duration at that time.
Fast facts
- Born: October 1975, Xiangtan County, Hunan
- Military Rank: Senior Colonel (Da Xiao)
- Astronaut Selection: May 2010
- Spaceflight Exploit Medal: Awarded 2021 and 2024
- Total days in space as of May 2024: 279
- Education: PLA Air Force Aviation University
Questions readers ask
What missions has Tang Hongbo commanded?
He served as the commander of the Shenzhou 17 mission, which launched in October 2023.
Has he performed any spacewalks?
Yes, he performed the first extravehicular activity of the Tiangong space station in 2021 and completed two further spacewalks during the Shenzhou 17 mission.
Achievements
- Educated at PLA Air Force Aviation University
- Worked as astronaut, airman and fighter pilot
.jpg)