A spectacular drone light show was held in the skies above the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Wednesday evening to celebrate China's 10th Space Day, which lands on Thursday, with the colorful display depicting the history and milestones of the country's space exploration program.
Organized by the China Media Group (CMG) and the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, the celebratory event took place at the Dongfanghong Satellite Launch Site, marking the anniversary of the launch of China's first artificial satellite, "Dongfanghong-1," which blasted off on April 24, 1970.
Thousands of drones lit up the night sky, using a blend of technology and artistry to pay tribute to China's endeavors and achievements in space exploration.
The light show was divided into three chapters, portraying China's journey from launching its first artificial satellite, to the milestones of the Shenzhou spacecraft series, the Chang'e Lunar Exploration Program, and the establishment of the Tiangong space station.
Among the attendees was a notable guest—Shi Liang, who participated in the historic "Dongfanghong-1" satellite launch. Now aged in his 90s, he reflected fondly on his own career and hailed the work of those who have followed in his footsteps.
"The drone performance tonight was spectacular, showcasing the rapid development of China's space industry and its achievements. This is the result of several generations of aerospace workers, who shaped the spirit of China's space program. I hope that the new generation of aerospace workers will continue to carry forward the spirit shown in the 'Two Bombs, One Satellite' [China's first atomic bomb, intercontinental ballistic missile and satellite program] and in China's space program, and make new contributions to China's space endeavors," said Shi.
The event also came one day ahead of the scheduled launch of the Shenzhou-20 crewed mission, which was fittingly set to blast off from the site on Thursday afternoon local time.
Among the audience for the drone show were many young people, who were inspired by the show's depiction of China's aerospace history, sparking their ambitions to dedicate themselves to space exploration in the future.
"I feel dazzled and very excited. I think using this method to pay tribute to our country's space industry is very meaningful. I also wish the Shenzhou-20 mission a successful launch tomorrow, and hope the astronauts will have a safe journey," said Xing Hairui, a primary school student.
Those responsible for the drone show said they aimed to present the glory of China's past achievements in spaceflight through this innovative presentation, while also sending their best wishes to the Shenzhou-20 crew as they prepare to embark on their six-month space mission.
"We wanted to blend technology and art, using the drone light show to tell the story of China's space program pioneers, who dared to 'aim for the moon.' From the poetic perspective of our engineers and researchers, we want to show the world the elegance of Chinese technology and pay tribute to the achievements of China's space industry. This performance is not only a review of China's glorious aerospace history, but also a send-off for the Shenzhou-20 crew," said Gao Xiang, the person in charge of the drone light show.
Meanwhile, as part of the wider Space Day celebrations, staff members involved in the Shenzhou-20 mission also paid a visit to an exhibition on China's space exploration history at the launch center, as they prepare to write another chapter themselves with Thursday's scheduled launch.
China designated April 24 as its Space Day back in 2016, with the date marking the successful launch of the Dongfanghong-1 satellite.
Drone show depicting China's space exploration history held at launch site
