Nie Haisheng

Nie Haisheng (simplified Chinese: 聂海胜; traditional Chinese: 聶海勝; pinyin: Niè Hǎishèng; born 13 October 1964) is a Chinese military pilot and CNSA astronaut.

Military career

Nie was born on 13 October 1964 in Yangdang town of Zaoyang, Hubei Province. After graduating from high school he joined the People's Liberation Army Air Force and became a fighter pilot. He trained at the PLAAF's No. 7 Flying School and graduated in 1987.

On 12 June 1989 while flying at 13,000 feet (4000 m) 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. Trying to regain control he waited 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.

Prior to Shenzhou 10, Nie had attained the rank of Major General.

CNSA career

In 1998, he was selected for the Chinese spaceflight program and was one of three candidates who were part of the final group to train for the Shenzhou 5 flight, China's first manned spaceflight. Yáng Lìwěi was picked for the flight, with Zhai Zhigang ranked second ahead of Niè Hǎishèng.