Yang Liwei, known as China's first man in space, has officially announced his retirement from active duty. In a recent interview with CCTV, he stated that he and his fellow astronauts are prepared to resume space missions should the government require their services. This dramatic announcement comes after the first group of Chinese astronauts, which includes Yang, was grounded last October due to regulatory compliance.

Yang Liwei made history on October 15, 2003, when he orbited the Earth aboard the Shenzhou-5 spacecraft, making China the third nation to independently send humans into space. During his 21-hour mission, he completed 14 orbits, marking a significant milestone in China's space exploration program that began in 1992. His journey is often viewed as a pivotal event that laid the groundwork for future advancements in the country's space endeavors.

The retirement of Yang, who has become a celebrated figure in China's space history, signals a turning point for the nation’s space initiative. With ongoing advancements and ambitions to explore further into space, his openness to returning underscores the commitment of seasoned astronauts to serve their country in whatever capacity needed, contributing to China's growing reputation and capabilities in the global space arena.