Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, May 28 (Xinhua) — Ahead of International Children’s Day on June 1, the crew of the Shenzhou 20 spacecraft aboard the Chinese space station sent greetings to children across China.
The 9th National Congress of the Young Pioneers Organization of China (YPC) opened in Beijing on Tuesday. Cosmonauts congratulated children across the country on this grand event and unfurled the YPC flag, which was delivered to the space station.
The three-person crew, led by experienced astronaut Chen Dong, was launched into orbit on April 24 for a six-month mission.
Chen Dong recalled his childhood dreams, which were born after he put on the red pioneer tie. “I remember deciding to become someone useful to society when I first put it on,” said Chen Dong, who has already been to space three times.
Rookie astronauts Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie, who are making their first space flight, recalled how their youthful interest in space shaped their future careers.
Chen Zhongrui, who made his first spacewalk on May 22, shared how he watched the Shenzhou spacecraft launches on TV with glee as a child and was strengthened in his desire.
Wang Jie mentioned the UPC anthem, a song that gave him strength as a child. He said the anthem encourages generations of Chinese pioneers to follow the glorious traditions of their predecessors. He hoped that children would continue the missions of space exploration.
After arriving at the station, the Shenzhou-20 astronauts rotated with the Shenzhou-19 crew and carried out planned scientific experiments.
On May 22, they successfully completed their first spacewalk, setting a record for the shortest time between a crew’s arrival in orbit and the first extravehicular activity since the space station’s completion. –0–