China space program photographer: I saw it all

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China's space program is a myth to a lot of people, as it contains much national secret. Not everyone can access inside information.

But there is an old man who witnessed and took pictures of nearly all important moments of China's space adventure.

Nan Yong, a 68-year-old photographer working for the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), spoke with CGTN exclusively about his decades-long career, and showed-off some of his best works.

Nan Yong with his camera /CASC Photo

Side by side

"I lived with the team for more than 20 years. I know every single one of them and vice versa," Nan told CGTN. "So the developers do not shy away from my lens."

Female engineers at CASC celebrate International Women's Day. /Photo by Nan Yong

He started with a project that became a hit in China recently: The Beidou satellite navigation system, China's self-developed GPS replacement.

"Upon my observation, the Beidou team is different from other people at CASC because they got a special leader," Nan told CGTN, referring to Xie Jun, one of the heads of the Beidou team. "He knows how to be a great spiritual leader."

CASC managers play guessing games with employees. /Photo by Nan Yong

Playing games, celebrating festivals, flag raising -- the leader brought more sense of humanity to the hard-working developers.

"The team building culture was later spread to all the corporation," Nan said. "You can see this change of company culture only through my lens."

Fueling a Beidou satellite /Photo by Nan Yong

Deep research

In addition to daily life of space program members, Nan also managed to snap some dangerous moments during work, including the fuel-filling process that may lead to poison leak if things go wrong.

China builds a lot of satellites on its own. Some technology is considered national secret. It can be hard for a photographer to take great pictures while not exposing those secrets. But Nan got his own way.

A CASC rocket ready for launch in Xichang /Photo by Nan Yong

"I did my own research on those rockets, launchpads and satellites. I know what they're doing and which parts should stay in the dark," Nan said.