Wang Yaping to announce shock retirement?

Sad news for Yaping fans. Speculation had been rife that Tiangong space station crew member will announce her retirement from all public activities, at age 46, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 23/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being an astronaut isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being an astronaut just isn't fun anymore,” she might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that she may branch out into other creative fields she is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouWang

For a little while on Sunday evening, #ThankYouWang was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made her make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouWang.”
— @DesireePlum, 22 Mar 2026

“I thought Wang Yaping retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 22 Mar 2026

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