A42-year-oldfighterpilot,ZhaiZhigangiswell-knownforChinesefirstmantowalkinspace.HewasborninOctober1966inasmallcommunitynearthetownofQiqiharinnorthernHeilongjiangprovinceneartheborderwithRussia.Whenhewasaboyhisilliteratemotherwouldspendalldaysellingsunflowerseedsonthestreetstomakeenoughmoneytopayforaneducationforherchildren.Zhaibecameafighterpilotandhasclockedupsome1,000hoursofflighttimeinhiscareer.ZhaiZhigangholdstherankofcolonelinthePeople'sLiberationArmy.