Born in October 1966 to a poor family in north-east Heilongjiang province. He is described as introverted and loyal. One of six children, he worked after school to help his mother support the family as his father was bedridden.
The air force colonel is expected to make history as China's first man to walk in space. His hobbies include ballroom dancing and playing video games with his son.
His wife Zhang Shujing works at the food research centre for astronauts.
LIU BOMING
Born in September 1966, he is expected to be the back-up for the space walk.
His intelligence as a boy earned him the nickname 'Little Zhuge' after Zhuge Liang, one of ancient China's greatest strategists. The second of six children, he signed up for military service to avoid being a financial burden on his poor rural family living in Heilongjiang.
Liu was a reserve crew member for Shenzhou VI, China's second manned space flight, in 2005.
JING HAIPENG
Fellow astronauts call Jing, born in October 1966, the 'Iron Forward' for his skills on the basketball court.
A year before being made an astronaut in 1998, the fighter pilot named his newborn son Yufei - yu means space and fei means flying. He was also on the back-up crew for Shenzhou VI.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE