BEIJING: Rocket engineer Wang Haoze has made history as the first civilian woman astronaut from China, joining her Shenzhou-19 crewmates on a journey to the Tiangong space station.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the mission marks a historic milestone, with the Shenzhou-19 spacecraft launching successfully on Wednesday morning.
"I was mainly responsible for preliminary research on new engines to develop future rockets for deep space exploration," she told China's state broadcaster CCTV.
"I never imagined that, as a professional in space science and technology, I would be able to experience this.
"When I saw the opportunity, it felt incredibly precious, so I applied. It's beyond belief," she said, describing her surprise when the opportunity arose.
The 34-year-old Wang, along with Shenzhou-19 Commander Cai Xuzhe, a veteran of the Shenzhou-14 mission, and first-time astronaut Song Lingdong, lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in the Gobi Desert.
Selected as part of China's third astronaut cohort in 2020, Wang became China's first female space flight engineer, despite her lack of flight experience.
She persevered through challenging astronaut training, eventually securing her position on the Shenzhou-19 mission.
Her engineering expertise, she said, will serve her team well during the mission, especially in troubleshooting.
"I can help bridge communication with ground technicians," she explained, noting that her technical knowledge will be valuable in handling unexpected issues.
"When we encounter issues that require unified effort, my experience and engineering skills can make a meaningful contribution," she added.