Reported by: Shang Yankai
Photographed by: Lan Rui
Translated by: Kang Ran
Edited by: Garrick Jones
At 7:49 A.M., October 17th, the Shenzhou XI manned spacecraft, which will carry out the docking mission with Tiangong II, was launched at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, and sent two astronauts into space. Faculties and students of HIT watched the launch live on TV and celebrated the successful launch of Shenzhou XI manned spacecraft in various ways.
At 7:10 A.M., gathering in the television room in the forth floor of Apartment No.1, students from several colleges of HIT looked forward to the historic moment of the successful launch of Shenzhou XI manned spacecraft, waving national flags. At about 7:30, the carrier rocket of Shenzhou XI manned spacecraft soared up into the sky. At that moment, a rapturous applause burst out for the first time. Watching the operation of the rocket and spacecraft broadcasted on TV from time to time, everyone held their breath until Zhang Youxia, commander-in-chief of China Manned Space Program announced the success of the launch of Shenzhou XI manned spacecraft and then applause and cheers burst out again.
After the end of the live broadcast, some students were interviewed and talked about their feelings. Li Ning, student from the school of Aeronautics, said: “seeing the successful launch of Shenzhou XI manned spacecraft, I can’t be more excited and proud, and watch the power of our country and Nations and the great progress of the cause of aerospace industry. Under the guidance of the aerospace spirit, I will be down-to-earth to absorb the professional knowledge and make my own contribution to the future of the aerospace industry.” Yu Yang, a doctoral student and a member of the D&T team of the micro-nano satellite, Lilac, has participated in the relevant research of Lilac I and Lilac II. He said: “XI Jinping, General Secretary, in his congratulation message to the successful launch of Shenzhou XI manned spacecraft, noted that ‘The space exploration is endless and space research still has a long way to go’. As a future member of the cause of space, I will vigorously carry forward the aerospace spirit and carry out innovative research with my specialized knowledge to contribute to the realization of dream of powerful country in aerospace.
In the afternoon, the Youth League and the Students’ Union of the school of aeronautics held a signature activity in front of Xueyuan building to celebrate the successful launch of Shenzhou XI manned spacecraft. It attracted many teachers and students and everyone signed their names on the red banners on which are wrote “神箭相送勇士出征 筑梦天宫 扬我国威（Changzheng Rocket Sending Warriors into space, Tiangong Dream Spreading Our Nation’s Greatness）” and “热烈庆祝神舟十一号载人飞船发射成功（Congratulation On The Successful Launch Of Shenzhou XI Manned Spacecraft）” to send their best wishes to the cause of aerospace.
It was learnt that the Youth League of school, the Youth League Committees of every school along with Student’s Union of school and Students’ Unions of every school will also hold a series of celebrations to call on more students to carry on the space spirit and contributing to the space cause to the realization of dream of powerful country in aerospace.
Students are watching the live of the launch of the Shenzhou XI manned spacecraft
The scene of signature activity
