84-year-old Li Licheng, a distinguished Chinese academician and a legend in engineering, has officially signed up for a journey into space.
The veteran power grid expert is slated to fly with Beijing Interstellar Human Spaceflight, China’s first commercial crewed spaceflight company, with his initial trip planned for 2028.
Professor Li, an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering born on July 8, 1941, is renowned for his pioneering work in China’s ultra-high voltage transmission projects and serves as the Honorary President of the China Southern Power Grid Company.
His decision makes him the oldest Chinese civilian to register for space tourism.
Not content with a single voyage, Professor Li reportedly has ambitious plans to undertake three separate space journeys before he reaches the age of 89.
“I will go into space three times, once a year, and I’ll only be 89 years old after three trips into space,” the engineer was quoted as saying.
His bold endeavor signals a lifelong passion for pushing boundaries, transitioning from groundbreaking terrestrial engineering feats to the ultimate frontier of space.
This move is seen as a symbolic boost for China’s ambitions in the commercial spaceflight arena, a field currently dominated by international players.
Professor Li’s career has been characterized by significant contributions to China’s technological advancement, including leading the country’s first ±500kV DC transmission project and the world’s first ±800kV ultra-high-voltage DC transmission project.
Further details about the specifics of his training and the mission profile are expected to be released closer to the flight date.
Professor Li’s journey will undoubtedly be watched with keen interest both in China and internationally, serving as an inspiration for aspiring space travelers of all ages.
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