China
2023.04.20 23:32 GMT+8

Shenzhou-15 crew from CSS interacts with youths from 10 countries

Updated 2023.04.21 11:49 GMT+8
CGTN

Shenzhou-15 taikonaut Fei Junlong talks to a young audience via video, April 20, 2023. / Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Iran

The Shenzhou-15 crew currently working at the China Space Station interacted with youths from 10 countries via online video calls at an event on Thursday to encourage more young people to dare to dream.

The main venue of the event was set up in Beijing, with 10 additional overseas venues in member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), including Iran, India and Kazakhstan.

In recent years, the SCO member states have seen remarkable progress in the space industry. China's Shenzhou-15 manned spacecraft, which was launched last November, is the latest in a series of achievements, said SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming, adding that the event was to inspire young people to pursue their dreams.

Shenzhou-14 crewmate Cai Xuzhe attended the event in Beijing and shared stories about China's space exploration.

Young people from different countries questioned the Shenzhou-15 crew on a variety of topics, including the biggest challenges in piloting a spaceship, how the human body responds to the speed of the movement, among others.

Shenzhou-15 taikonaut Fei Junlong said the extravehicular activity (EVA) is the most difficult part when addressing one student's question about what the most difficult task is in their space journey.

"During the spacewalk, we need to wear heavy extra-cabin suits in the vast space for six to seven hours, which consumes our energy and brings a sense of stress, posing a great challenge for us both physically and psychologically," said Fei. "But after scientific, systematic and comprehensive training on the ground, we are able to complete the EVAs."

Besides detailed answers, the Shenzhou-15 taikonauts also showcased how they work and live in the China Space Station, which piqued the young audience's curiosity for space exploration.

"I hope that this event will 'sow the seeds of love for space' in you," said Cai, who expressed his expectation to see the young join in the space endeavor in the future, working together to explore the universe.

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