More than 1,800 kilometers away from the mainland, there is a pair of "eyes of the South China Sea"

The 24th Beijing Winter Olympic Games is in full swing. Chinese civilization and the Olympic movement have once again joined hands to play the magnificent theme of unity, peace and friendship for all mankind: let us build a dream of ice and snow together and move towards the future together!

There is a place like this, more than 1,800 kilometers away from the mainland, surrounded by sea water on all sides, 1/2 sea sand, and 1/2 gravel.

What is the future of a place like this?

In 2007, with the approval of the superiors, it was decided to build a unique island satellite observation station and the southernmost deep-sea land-based observation station in the motherland. After site selection, it was finally settled on this desolate island with an area of ​​less than 0.5 square kilometers.

Survival is difficult, how can we talk about the future? In 2008, the Xisha Satellite Observation Station was officially started. 14 years later, the deserted island where "no birds build nests and no fishermen go to the island" has grown a pair of eyes of the South China Sea.

"Exploring the vast universe, developing the aerospace industry, and building a space power are the aerospace dreams we have been pursuing unremittingly. After the continuous efforts of several generations of aerospace workers, my country's aerospace industry has created brilliant achievements represented by the 'two bombs and one satellite', manned space flight, and lunar exploration, and has embarked on a development path of self-reliance and independent innovation, accumulating a profound and broad aerospace spirit." On April 24, 2016, General Secretary Xi Jinping made important instructions on the occasion of the first "China Space Day". Adhering to the belief of building a space power and serving the country through aerospace, the Xisha aerospace workers have delivered a satisfactory answer to General Secretary Xi Jinping's earnest expectations.

What does the future depend on?

Only through hard work can we take root in the South China Sea

The car drove from the dock to the observatory, with sparkling waves and lush coconut trees along the way. Several observation equipment, work areas and living areas were scattered on the island. It is understood that 14 years ago, there were only white sandy beaches and sparse vegetation on the island.

When the Xisha Satellite Observatory was first established, the first generation of Xisha astronauts could only work in a dilapidated building. After four years of hard work and recruitment, the earliest land-based observatory with observation capabilities was born on the deserted island. During those passionate years, the Xisha astronauts bravely overcame the difficult conditions on the island - high temperature, frequent typhoons, difficulty in daily supplies, and little extracurricular entertainment, filling the gap in my country's aerospace observation in the South China Sea.

As the first batch of entrepreneurs, facing such difficult living conditions at that time, the Xisha Aerospace people were determined not to be afraid of hardship in the new year. Everyone rushed to do the dirty and tiring work, and they always had endless energy. They were porters during the day and students at night. After the initial construction was completed, everyone was tanned and thinner inside and out, but everything was getting better and better as they wished, and everything was worth it.

Only by seeking truth and innovation can we show our sword in Xisha

In recent years, China's aerospace industry has developed vigorously, and time is tight and tasks are heavy. Multiple missions have become the norm, and the station is also increasingly burdened with satellite observation tasks. Taking on-orbit satellite observation as an example, the task interval is short, the personnel are busy, and the equipment is running around the clock.

Since the station is located on two islands, transportation is inconvenient and support capacity is limited, two or three sets of personnel are often required to rotate to the island. The equipment is all on the island, and it is easy for the personnel on the island to be at a loss and unable to practice. When they rotate to the island again, they need to spend a lot of time to familiarize themselves with the equipment and operating skills before they can carry out observation tasks.

In response to this, the station has continuously innovated and built a complete remote operating system. Relying on the remote support system and data analysis software, it has realized the integration of the two islands and the one-click performance evaluation, achieving the same effect of simulation and actual operation, greatly improving work efficiency. Now, in the station's work room, you can see high-definition smart screens, real-time communication and other equipment, and all kinds of real-time data are lined up. Real-time perception, winning thousands of miles away.

Only unity and dedication can build the dream of the sky

Starting from the first observation mission in 2014, the space station has continued to work hard and achieved successive victories, successfully completing dozens of space launch missions, including the maiden flights of the Long March 7 and Long March 5 rockets, and the launch of the Tianzhou cargo spacecraft. It has carried out more than a hundred test missions with the standard of "not missing a minute or a second, not missing a frame, and not deviating a millimeter."

The success of each mission is inseparable from the unity and cooperation of Xisha aerospace personnel, and even more inseparable from the selfless dedication of the entire station. In the cultural corridor of the station, you can clearly see the scene where the "leader" of Xisha aerospace takes the lead, rushes to the front, and leads everyone to work together. "During that time, when I saw the leaders working with us, I was not only moved, but more of admiration. With such leaders who can share joys and sorrows with us, the Xisha Satellite Observatory is destined to write a new history and open a new glory." Yue Lei, a hero of 100 missions at the station, said.

On this road to heaven, the Xisha astronauts have transformed themselves into "wind-resistant tung trees", taking root and sprouting on the islands, growing strong and healthy. They have used solidarity and cooperation to tell moving stories, and have used selfless dedication to compose amiable and respectable heroic hymns.

14 years have passed. The Xisha Satellite Observatory has grown from nothing to something, from small to large, and has gradually realized informatization, remote control and automation. The Xisha aerospace personnel will always bear in mind their original mission, stay grounded in their posts, work hard and persevere, and welcome the successful convening of the 20th National Congress with outstanding results.
Xisha, let’s move towards the future together!

(Our Space)