The “Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Tiangong Dialogue” is full of passion!

On the first day of 2022, the three astronauts of the Shenzhou 13 crew welcomed the first rays of the new year in China's own space home - this is the first time that Chinese people have celebrated the New Year in space.

Yes, this is a special New Year's Day.

Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping and Ye Guangfu, who had been in space for more than two months, also held a "Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Tiangong Dialogue" with students from Beijing, Hong Kong and Macao on the same day.

Young students asked questions to astronauts at the main venue of the "New Year's Day Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Tiangong Dialogue" event in Beijing. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Jin Liangkuai

Some students asked them what new expectations they had in the new year.

Astronaut Wang Yaping said that as the inheritor of the great cause of space flight, she is very happy to run her own baton at this great moment. She hopes that more young people will join the manned space flight team. She also hopes that young people will use their wisdom and sweat to build their own dream spacecraft, usher in the launch moment of their dreams, and "fly to the vast starry sky that belongs to you."

Hearing the astronauts' encouragement on the spot, Wen Haocheng, a doctoral student in aerospace science and technology at the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics of Tsinghua University, also felt a sense of mission.

Last night, he watched the live broadcast of President Xi Jinping's New Year's speech. President Xi mentioned the "Zhurong" Mars exploration, "Xihe" chasing the sun, and "Tianhe" traveling among the stars, and also mentioned that the three astronauts were on "business trips" in the vast space.

Wen Haocheng is a space fan himself. His interest in space can be traced back to the launch of the Shenzhou V spacecraft in 2003. Since then, he has had a space dream in his heart. Today, Wen Haocheng is engaged in engine propulsion-related technology research and has become a part of the space industry.

In fact, difficulties and obstacles are often encountered on the road of scientific research. Wen Haocheng often uses the spirit of his predecessors who are "especially able to endure hardships, especially able to fight, especially able to tackle key problems, and especially able to make contributions" to motivate himself. "My research results will be directly applied to the development of my country's aerospace industry in the future. I really feel very lucky." Wen Haocheng sighed, this is indeed a great era. As long as you have the courage to struggle, your dreams will come true. These few years have been a bumper year for China's aerospace industry, but the current bumper harvest is inseparable from the continued struggle of the predecessors and the perseverance of generations of aerospace people. "For our group of students, we are in a period when the country needs us and the country is also investing heavily in aerospace. We have ushered in a good opportunity for development." Wen Haocheng said that aerospace is a career worth his lifelong struggle.

Dai Wen is also a doctoral student majoring in aerospace science and technology at the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics. This time, she had the opportunity to ask questions to astronaut Ye Guangfu.

Dai Wen is curious about how astronauts have to overcome countless difficulties, face fierce competition, and sometimes have to wait for a long time. How can they keep their original aspirations and not give up in this process? She asked this question because she has just entered the first year of her doctoral program and started a new academic journey. She is also confused about her future development. Dai Wen is also an undergraduate counselor, and the group of young people she leads often fall into confusion.

So, on the first day of the new year, Dai Wen came to ask the astronauts for advice.

Ye Guangfu said that going to space is indeed difficult. From being a student to becoming a pilot to being selected as an astronaut and then to performing flight missions, each "jump" cannot be achieved easily. Everyone on the road to space must undergo arduous training and pass strict selection. Some people wait for more than ten years, or even a lifetime. Ye Guangfu said that before the seedlings break through the soil, they must have experienced a long winter. To achieve a career, you need to persist day after day and sweat more than others. "Young people, you must be calm, calm, practice your skills, and move forward in the direction of your dreams in a down-to-earth manner."

"I was also very moved when I heard his answer." Dai Wen said with emotion that when people describe something as difficult, they often use the metaphor "harder than climbing to the sky". But the astronauts successfully reached the sky. "This also shows the advantages of our country's new national system. The national aerospace industry is booming, and the baton will one day be handed over to us young people." Dai Wen said that young people should dare to take on tough tasks and have the courage to explore new directions with potential in the future; at work, they should also calm down, learn to resist temptation, stick to their original intentions, and pursue their dreams with perseverance.

This dialogue between heaven and earth used youth, dreams and struggle as the keywords. Students from Hong Kong and Macao also had the opportunity to talk with astronauts.

On the scene in Beijing, aerospace experts also extended an olive branch to young people from Hong Kong and Macao, welcoming them to join the aerospace team.

Lam Ka-ta is from Hong Kong and is studying for a doctorate in international relations at Tsinghua University. "After hearing these words, I was also moved. I want to say to the young people in Hong Kong, look, we can also join the aerospace team, and we must also contribute to the development of the country," said Lam Ka-ta.

During this Tiangong dialogue, astronaut Zhai Zhigang shared a major "secret" for facing difficulties - as long as you put the interests of the country in the highest position in your heart, you will be able to move forward bravely and overcome difficulties.

Like many young people, Lan Jiada often feels intimidated, thinking that he is powerless and can do limited things. But the words of the astronauts gave him great inspiration. "We don't have to always stick to ourselves and think about small problems; we can also think about big problems, connect our life pursuits with the future and destiny of the country and nation, and think about what we can do for the country." Lan Jiada said that no matter where you come from, you can have a dream in your heart and pursue it bravely.

◎ Science and Technology Daily reporter Zhang Gailun

Source: Science and Technology Daily

Editor: Zhang Shuang

Review: Julie

Final review: Liu Haiying