As preparations for the upcoming Shenzhou-20 manned space mission enter their final stage, Chinese aerospace professionals at the Xi'an Satellite Control Center are working diligently, refining every step and detail to ensure the success of the mission.
Located in Xi’an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, the control center manages everything from flight trajectory design and software engineering to command and control.
At the Qingdao telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) station, a branch of Xi'an Satellite Control Center located in east China's Qingdao City, Shandong Province, senior engineer Zhang Zhuo and her colleagues were working on joint system debugging as they prepared for the launch of the Shenzhou-20 mission.
Zhang, a 23-year veteran, has developed a routine of writing down detailed notes while working, which helps her remember important information and provides guidance when she encounters technical problems.
"Taking work notes comes naturally to me, just like breathing, eating, and drinking," said Zhang.
Zhao Dan, as the first female operator at the Xi'an Satellite Control Center has constantly enhanced her professionalism through overcoming challenges in her work.
"Becoming a Huashan (code name for Xi'an Satellite Control Center) operator is both an acknowledgment of my abilities and a source of motivation. As space TT&C tasks intensify, the challenges ahead will also grow greater," said Zhao.
In addition to Zhang and Zhao, there are many other dedicated aerospace professionals who have been working diligently and contributing to the progress of China's space program.
"In my work, the mouse and keyboard are like the needles for an embroiderer, while some of the algorithms and codes I write are like the techniques used by the embroiderer. We hope to carry forward this spirit of craftsmanship, creating a map of China's space orbits in the vast expanse of the universe," said Wang Lusha, an aerospace worker at the center.
Chinese aerospace professionals committed to ensuring mission success
Hundreds of activists from Latin America, North America and Europe have arrived in Cuba as part of an international solidarity convoy, bringing over 20 tons of humanitarian aid for Cubans struggling with a severe economic and energy crisis.
The first members of the convoy arrived in Cuba by air while a second group is expected to come aboard a flotilla that sailed out of Mexico.
The first group was officially welcomed to Cuba during a ceremony in Havana, where Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel expressed appreciation for the solidarity at a critical time for the Cuban people.
The group brought humanitarian aid to local hospitals including medicines to treat cancer patients. The activists were briefed about the hardships currently being faced by Cubans.
Convoy organizers met with Cuban government officials and talked to the media about their initiative.
"There are deeply humanistic motivations for this convoy. That's why people are conducting these 'acopios,' these aid collections in their own communities, in their own plazas, in their own homes, packing suitcases full of basic medicines that the blockade seeks to prevent the Cuban people from accessing," said David Adler, a convoy coordinator.
Cubans have endured a deep economic crisis for the past few years, made worse by a U.S. embargo. A recent oil blockade against the country has caused a severe energy shortage.
"For us, it's a good opportunity because we are walking in the neighborhoods, we are talking to ordinary people, we are hearing people's stories. With no intermediaries, we are hearing how difficult life is right now, how it's been difficult over the last few years but how its gotten infinitely worse in the last three months because of the fuel blockade brought on by Trump," said Manolo De Los Santos, the executive director of The People's Forum.
The activists said their task is to shed light on what U.S. government policies are doing to Cuba. British Member of Parliament Jeremy Corbyn, who has joined other parliamentarians in the convoy, said that their presence in Cuba is sending a clear message.
"I think the images around the world of ordinary people coming to Cuba with the necessary equipment for children to be treated in hospital, to repair the damaged electricity system and all the rest of it is very important, and I think that will lead to pressure on governments all around the world," said Corbyn.
The 10th Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which concluded in the Colombian capital Bogota on Saturday, adopted the Bogota Declaration, calling on relevant countries to abide by UN resolutions and end the economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said in his speech that Cuba is facing severe challenges and is engaged in a struggle for dignity and freedom. Cuba is willing to conduct serious and responsible dialogue with the United States on the basis of mutual respect, but the precondition is that neither side should interfere in each other's internal affairs or their respective political, economic and social systems.
Global activists arrive in Cuba with humanitarian aid
