The journey of astronauts Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng will follow earlier missions into space made by 7 Chinese citizens and people of Chinese heritage.

Talor Gun-Jin Wang: Wang was born in Jiangsu province. He became the first Chinese to travel into space, making the journey as a member aboard the STS-51B Challenger in 1985.

Franklin Ramon Chang-Diaz: Born in Costa Rica, Chang-Diaz`s heritage can be traced back to Guangdong province. On Jan 12, 1986, he undertook his first mission into outer space.

Leroy Chiao: Born in the US state of Wisconsin in 1950, Chiao`s ancestors had come from Shandong province. He flew as a mission specialist for three flights - in 1994, 1996 and 2000.

Edward Tsang Lu: Born in the US state of Massachusetts to first-generation Chinese immigrants, he was aboard the STS-84 mission in 1997 and the STS-106 mission in 2000.

Yang Liwei: Born in Suizhong, Liaoning province, in 1965, Yang became China`s first astronaut, piloting the Shenzhou V spacecraft.

Fei Junlong: Born in 1965 in Kunshan, Jiangsu province. In Oct 12, 2005, he and Nie Haisheng piloted the Shenzhou VI.

Nie Haisheng: Born in 1964 in Hubei province. He and Fei Junlong undertook the Shenzhou VI.