The return capsule of the Shenzhou 13 manned spacecraft landed successfully, and the three astronauts Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping, and Ye Guangfu went home! I was very excited.
During my reporting career, I have been fortunate enough to witness major events in China’s aerospace industry. Since 2003, when Yang Liwei entered space for the first time aboard the Shenzhou 5 spacecraft carried by the Long March 2F rocket, which symbolized a big step forward for China's space industry, I have interviewed the Chinese Space Corps.
As China’s first manned spacecraft launched, Shenzhou 5 and Yang Liwei’s names have been recorded in history. Shortly after sending Yang Liwei into space, Yuan Jiajun, the then commander-in-chief of China's Shenzhou spacecraft system, was interviewed by me. I asked him if he was nervous, and he said it was okay, with a hint of nervousness.
Many years later, when Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping, and Ye Guangfu brought us all kinds of interesting sharing and blessings in space, we seemed to feel that the distant space was getting closer and closer to us.
Yuan Jiajun, my first impression when I saw him was that he was tired, his face was full of fatigue, his eyes were bloodshot, but he was very determined. He said a famous saying, "Playing is the heartbeat", but this " Behind "playing" is how many reviews, how many resets, repeated arguments, trial and error, to complete each step.
After traveling in space, Yang Liwei spent two years writing his autobiography "Nine Levels of Heaven and Earth", revealing the various thrilling moments he encountered in his first flight. At that time, situations that were completely different from the simulation experiments on earth appeared one after another, which made him think that he was about to die.
In an interview with me in 2021, Qi Faren, the chief designer of the Shenzhou spacecraft, said that China’s aerospace industry has also experienced problems such as lack of experience in personnel and the experimental base has just been built. It is just like this and it is moving forward through exploration.
Not long ago, I interviewed Sun Zezhou, chief designer of the Tianwen-1 detector of the Fifth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. He said that the aerospace industry is getting further and further, but he still has awe for the universe and science. The heart is getting stronger and stronger.
The journey of human exploration of space is long and arduous. Maybe they can experience or witness a milestone, which is already very remarkable. Maybe more people only participate in a small part, and we don’t know them. name.
I have been moved time and time again by the spirit of the astronauts and the scientific researchers behind the scenes.
The golden autumn of the Gobi desert is intoxicating, and the poplar euphratica in the weak water welcomes guests back. Being able to endure hardships, fight, solve problems, and contribute. This is the spirit of manned spaceflight, and it is also the spirit of the times that leads us to move forward.
Who are the three astronauts on Shenzhou 13?
The astronaut crew for the first flight of the Shenzhou 13 manned mission has long been determined. They are the three astronauts who will be the backup crew of the Shenzhou 12 manned mission, Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping, and Ye Guangfu.
Shenzhou 13, referred to as "Shenzhou 13", is the thirteenth spacecraft launched by China's manned space project. It will use the Long March 2F Yao 13 launch vehicle to carry out manned missions in 2021. space mission.