Epic Space Voyage

Persistent endeavors and continuous breakthroughs put China in pole position in space exploration

Taikonaut Liu Yang, who made history 10 years ago by becoming China’s first woman in space, began her second journey into the space aboard Shenzhou-14 spacecraft on the morning of June 5, when a Long March-2f rocket carrying the spacecraft lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China’s Gansu Province.

Watching the launch on TV some 1,800 km away at their home in Zhengzhou, capital of Henan Province in central China, Liu’s parents were elated. It was a proud moment for any parent.

Her father, 72-year-old Liu Shilin, said he felt “relieved, excited and proud.” Compared to her first mission 10 years ago, they were less anxious this time around. The peace of mind also stemmed from the advances China has made in manned space technology in the past decade.

“The last 10 years can be seen as the transitional decade of China’s aerospace,” Yang Yuguang, Vice Chair of the Space Transportation Committee of the International Astronautical Federation, said. Ten years ago, China’s aerospace industry followed other aerospace powers in the world in most fields. With the continuous development of aerospace technology, China is already “running side by side” with others, or even taking the lead in some fields.

Liu will stay in space for six months, working together with her two colleagues Chen Dong and Cai Xuzhe, to complete the construction of China’s space station.

Remarkable breakthroughs

The Chinese people’s romantic pursuit of space started in early times. In Chinese mythology, Chang’e was