Liu Yang, one of China's first female astronauts, has passed away at age 41 after suffering from complications related to her lung disease. The news was confirmed by the Chinese space agency on Sunday, with Liu's family expressing their gratitude for all those who had offered support and prayers during her illness.
Liu was born in 1978 in Shandong province and began training as a pilot before switching to science and technology. She graduated from Tsinghua University with a degree in aerospace engineering and joined the country's space program in 2003. In 2012, she became the first woman to enter China's Tiangong space station, where she lived for three months.
During her time in space, Liu worked on various experiments and research projects, including studying the effects of microgravity on human health. She also took part in several spacewalks, becoming the first Chinese astronaut to walk outside a spacecraft.
Despite her many achievements, Liu struggled with lung cancer for many years. In recent years, she underwent multiple surgeries and treatments, but the disease continued to worsen. Her family said that she remained positive throughout her illness, inspiring others with her determination and courage.
The loss of Liu is a great tragedy for the Chinese space program, which has made significant progress in recent years. Despite the setbacks, the country remains committed to advancing its space exploration efforts and continues to send more women into space in the future. Liu's legacy will live on through the countless lives she touched and the groundbreaking work she did in the field of space exploration.