First Chinese woman enters sub-space

Shanghai (CNS) -- Chinese entrepreneuse Li Qingqing, in her customized spacesuit, became the first Chinese female to enter sub-space, departing by military aircraft from Nizhni Novgorod, Russia on May 10.

During this one-hour special flight, Li experienced the changes in gravity in accord with different acceleration speeds, and the pitch dark of outer space and curved horizon - views unavailable to those on earth.

Sub-space refers to altitudes ranging from 20,000 to 100,000 meters, a cloudless and rainless band of atmosphere free of any turbulence.

The flight speed was 2,000 km/h, twice the speed of sound, and was maintained at a height of 22 kilometers above the land. Only one other astronaut accompanied Li on her journey.

Li's bravery is more remarkable for her life-long fear of heights. "Today's adventure was the thrill of a lifetime. To overcome my acrophobia, I make a point of going out of my comfort zone," Li said before she climbed aboard the craft.

Li was born in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and once pursued her studies overseas at the Harvard Business School. Now she dedicates herself to the cause of education in China.