Nie Haisheng. (Photo by PLA Daily)

(cnhubei.com/Wikipedia) The Shenzhou VI manned spacecraft blasted off at 9:00 am October 12, 2005. Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng, two astronauts on China's second manned space mission, are both selected air force pilots.

Nie Haisheng is a Hubei native.

Nie Haisheng (born September 1964) is a Chinese astronaut selected as part of the Shenzhou program. He was born in Yangdang town of Zaoyang, central China’ Hubei Province.

Nie was born in a poor family whose parents had to borrow money for his tuition in his boyhood. It is said sometimes Nie gave teacher a rabbit for tuition instead of money. Nie cherished the opportunity and worked hard in his study.

After graduated from high school Nie joined the People's Liberation Army Air Force, became a fighter pilot and has reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In 1998 he was selected for the astronaut program.

He was one of the three astronauts who were part of the final group to train for the Shenzhou 5 flight. Yang Liwei was picked up for the flight, with Zhai Zhigang ranked second ahead of Nie Haisheng. On 23 September 2005 it was reported by the Hong Kong-based news agency China News Service that Zhai and Nie were one of three pairs of astronauts who were in the final training for Shenzhou 6.

On June 12, 1989 while flying at 13000 feet (4000 meters) his plane suffered an explosion and he lost his engine. The plane began to spin to the ground and the cabin began to heat up. He waited, trying to regain control until the plane was 1300 to 1700 feet (400 to 500 meters) before choosing to eject. For his handling of the situation he was honored with third-class merit.

He is married to Nie Jielin and has an 11 year old daughter.