Chinese astronauts - yuhangyuans - are expected to live aboard the conjoined vehicles for up to two weeks.

Liu became the first female Chinese astronaut to go into space.

On 27 September 2008, Zhai became the first Chinese astronaut to spacewalk, completely outside the craft.

Dannerman hadn't had any clear idea of what he expected a Chinese astronaut to be like, but Jimmy Lin wasn't it.

There have also been a number of American-born Chinese astronauts sent into space by NASA.

He is the first Chinese astronaut to have flown on two missions: Shenzhou 7 and Shenzhou 9.

Orlan space suits have been used by Russian, American, European and Chinese astronauts.

Late that year, two Chinese astronauts began training in Russia, and in turn trained a dozen others back in China.

Chinese astronauts have been instructed at Russia's training center, Star City.

Westerners refer to Chinese astronauts as taikonauts, after tai kong, which means "great emptiness."