Jing Haipeng, an astronaut from Shanxi province, blasted off on his third space trip with fellow astronaut Chen Dong on Oct 17, at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.

The Shenzhou XI manned spacecraft, with Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong aboard, blasts off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 7:30 am on Oct 17. [Photo/news.cn]

The Shenzhou XI spacecraft will travel two days before docking with Tiangong II, a space laboratory launched in mid-September. During the flight, Jing will be responsible for flying the spacecraft, docking with Tiangong II, flight plan management and ensuring safety.

After docking, Jing and his partner will enter the space lab and embark on a 30-day space stay – the longest carried out by Chinese astronauts.

A farewell ceremony for the two Chinese astronauts set to carry out the Shenzhou-11 manned space mission is held on the early morning of Oct 17 at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. Jing Haipeng (L) will be responsible for spacecraft driving, docking with Tiangong II, flight plan management and security guarantee. [Photo/news.cn]

Jing was born in October 1966 in Yuncheng, Shanxi province. Growing up he loved to play basketball, despite being relatively short Jing was able to become a top school player thanks to his unyielding mindset and determination.

Jing has carried these characteristics forward in his dream to become a pilot. Having first failed his pilot's exam and facing poverty, Jing managed to enroll in the China Aviation University of Air Force in 1985, thanks to hard work and study.

In 1998, after carrying out more than 1,200 hours in flight, Jing was selected to become one of China's first ever astronauts.

In 2008, Jing was selected as a crew member on Shenzhou VII. He then became the commander of Shenzhou IX in 2012, carrying out the first mission to dock with the Tiangong I space laboratory. In his latest mission, he continues his exploration in space on Shenzhou XI manned spacecraft, becoming the only astronaut in China who has visited outer space three times.

"Although the job is challenging, risky and dangerous, there is nothing else I'd rather do," Jing told reporters at a press conference on Oct 16. "We have improved our ability to deal with emergencies, first aid and space experiments."

Jing Haipeng (L) and Chen Dong (R) attend a press conference on Oct 16 at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. Their spacecraft, Shenzhou XI lifted off on Oct 17. Their mission will last for 30 days after the spacecraft docks with the Tiangong II, a space lab launched in mid-September. [Photo/news.cn]