On April 24, 2024, in the Wentian Pavilion of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, there are three superheroes - Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu, who are not only astronauts, but also stars in our hearts.
They are about to embark on the journey of Shenzhou 18, which is not as simple as going to a picnic, this is a real space adventure!
Let's talk about Ye Guangfu first, a native of Chengdu, Sichuan, born in September 1980, with a master's degree, enlisted in the army in August 1998, and joined the Communist Party of China in May 2002. He is not only an army colonel, but also a first-class astronaut, a title that makes people awe-inspiring. Ye Guangfu, who may have flown longer than many of us, was selected as China's second batch of astronauts in May 2010 and flew the Shenzhou-13 manned mission in October 2021. This buddy's honor is even more dazzling, what is the honorary title of "Hero Astronaut" and the "Third-Class Aerospace Meritorious Service Medal", it is simply an honor harvester.
Then there is Li Cong, a young man from Handan, Hebei Province, born in October 1989, enlisted in the army in September 2009, joined the party in June 2011, bachelor's degree, lieutenant colonel of the Air Force. He was the deputy captain of the flight group of a brigade of the Air Force and was rated as a second-class pilot of the Air Force. Li Cong was selected as China's third batch of astronauts in September 2020, and his selection proves the fairness and scientificity of China's astronaut selection mechanism.
There is also Li Guangsu, a young man from Pei County, Jiangsu, born in July 1987, enlisted in the army in September 2006, joined the party in June 2011, also has a bachelor's degree, and is a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force. He was the deputy captain of a flight group of a brigade of the Air Force and was rated as a first-class pilot of the Air Force. Li Guangsu was also selected as China's third batch of astronauts in September 2020, and his addition injected fresh blood into the Chinese astronaut team.
The resumes of these three astronauts are not only a string of honors and achievements, but also a testimony of their unremitting efforts and struggles. Every flight and training they make is contributing to the country's aerospace industry. Their success is not only a personal glory, but also the pride of the country.
But, did you know that every trip to space is a great test for the mind and body of an astronaut. Every minute and every second of their time in space is full of unknowns and risks. They have to face the extreme environment of space, as well as long periods of loneliness and isolation. This kind of exploration of the unknown and the challenge of risks constitute the charm of human spaceflight.
Here, we can't help but ask, have those who question China's space industry really understand the efforts and sacrifices made by these astronauts? Do they know how many astronauts and scientific research personnel have worked hard and selflessly behind every successful space mission?
And, have you ever thought that the development of the space industry is really just about planting the national flag in space or flexing muscles on the international stage? No, it is much deeper than that. It is about human curiosity about the unknown world, about our pursuit of scientific and technological progress, and more importantly about our vision of a better future.
Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu, the names of these three astronauts, together with their missions, will become a beacon that inspires generations to explore the universe and pursue their dreams. And for those who are still biased and skeptical, we can only say that when you look up at the stars, don't forget that it is these brave astronauts who light the way forward for us