Far-reaching Achievements in Outer Space Exploration

On September 17, three Chinese astronauts returned to Earth. Three days later, the Tianzhou-3 cargo spacecraft conducted a fast autonomous rendezvous and docked with the Tianhe core cabin. Within a week, China completed these two major events that take it a vital step toward realizing its outer space dream. The news was carried in many foreign media outlets and generated much discussion in the sci-tech world.

The Associated Press published an article entitled "Chinese astronauts return after 90 days aboard space station," reporting that China has sent 14 astronauts into space since 2003, becoming the third country to send astronauts into space independently after the Soviet Union and the United States.

Reuters continued to report on the return of Shenzhou 12 and the launch and docking of Tianzhou-3. Reuters posted that China is assembling its first permanent space station and that the Shenzhou 12 mission is the first of four manned missions planned for 2021-2022, while Tianzhou-3 is the fourth of 11 missions needed to complete construction of the station.

Reuters also said that China's space station, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2022, will be the only replacement for the 20-year-old International Space Station.

The BBC posted that China has made great strides in its space strategy in recent years, and the success of Shenzhou-12 mission is another testament to China's growing confidence and capabilities in space.

Meanwhile AFP noted that the Shenzhou 12 mission is the first manned space mission carried out by China in the last five years. The Tianhe core module provided each astronaut with a separate living area, a space treadmill and an exercise bike. During their stay in the space station, three Chinese astronauts conducted spacewalks and scientific experiments.

As The Diplomat magazine put it, "2021 is an exciting year for Chinese spaceflight." Christopher Bonnard, an aerospace engineer at the European Space Agency, explained that China's great achievements in the field of space in 2021 have refreshed humankind's perception of space.

According to an article on France's 20 Minutes website, the Shenzhou 12 mission once again demonstrates China's determination to increase its investment in space and shows its technological strength.

An article in the Russian newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda pointed out that space engineering projects are comprehensive achievements that can give a strong impetus to the development of engineering, military technology and communications, and that China's image and Chinese power have been significantly enhanced.

The international community eagerly awaits the construction of China's space station and the prospect of future cooperation. The next group of Chinese astronauts is expected to depart for the space station soon after China completes its longest manned space mission, Deutsche Presse-Agentur said in a report. If the International Space Station retires in the next few years as planned, China will be the only country operating a "space outpost" like the station.

Russian space scientist Vitaliy Egorov said that in recent months we have seen China's achievements in the construction of the space station, and this work is steadily progressing. China will advance space research to a new stage. The results of any scientific research will eventually become an achievement for all of humankind. The success of Chinese spaceflight has contributed to a deeper understanding of the world around us, the universe and even humankind itself.