Liu Yang: First Chinese Woman Astronaut Passes Away from Cancer

Liu Yang, the first Chinese woman astronaut, has passed away after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in her right breast.

The news of Liu Yang's passing was announced by China's Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) on Wednesday morning. The 41-year-old astronaut had been battling cancer for several years, but it was only recently that she received a diagnosis that required surgery.

Liu Yang is a graduate of Tsinghua University, where she majored in aerospace engineering. She went on to study at Harvard University and completed her doctorate in aerospace engineering. After graduating, she worked as a flight engineer on multiple missions before landing in space in 2009.

In 2015, Liu Yang became the first Chinese woman to go into space with a crew member aboard Shenzhou X. She spent six months in orbit, conducting experiments and studying the effects of radiation on human cells.

However, the cancer she had been battling for several years finally caught up with her in 2017. She underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and in August, she was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer called sarcoma.

Despite the challenges, Liu Yang remained determined to return to Earth. In October, she returned to Shenzhou X and began training for her second mission. However, just days later, she suffered a severe illness that left her in critical condition.

It was only when she was hospitalized in Beijing last week that doctors realized that she had advanced to the stage where her body no longer could fight the cancer. The doctors decided that it was time for her to pass away.

As the world mourns Liu Yang's loss, we must remember her incredible achievements and her dedication to serving humanity. We also hope that her spirit will inspire us all to continue pushing forward and making a difference in the world.