2024年，中华人民共和国将迎来成立75周年，也是实现“十四五”规划目标任务的关键一年。中国日报推出“光影绘新篇”系列影像故事，用镜头聚焦各领域“高质量发展”，用影像书写“中国式现代化”新篇章。本期主题为《逐梦苍穹的幕后英雄》，记录中国载人航天事业背后的默默奉献者们。

This year, the People’s Republic of China will celebrate its 75th anniversary, marking a crucial year for achieving the goals and tasks outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25). China Daily is publishing a visual series focusing on the high-quality development of various fields, capturing the process of Chinese-style modernization through photo lenses. This week, we are highlighting the silent contributors behind China’s manned space exploration endeavors.

中国酒泉卫星发射中心又称“东风航天城”，位于甘肃省酒泉市和内蒙古自治区额济纳旗交界处，是我国目前唯一的载人航天发射中心。神舟十八号载人飞船船箭组合体垂直转运至发射塔架，航天员将再次问鼎九天，逐梦太空家园。让火箭腾空而起的是燃料；让中国载人航天事业世纪腾飞的是千千万万默默无闻的航天人。

In the heart of the Gobi Desert, nestled at the boundary between Jiuquan city in the northwestern province of Gansu and the Ejine Banner in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, lies the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, also known as the “Dongfeng Aerospace City”. It is the only launch center for the country’s manned space program, where the dreams of Chinese manned space exploration became reality.

一代代“东风人”的不懈努力，帮助航天员叩开了通往浩瀚宇宙的大门。每一名勇闯星辰大海的勇者背后，都凝结着无数“东风人”的辛勤与汗水，团结与协作。今天，我们一起走进中国酒泉卫星发射中心，一起认识这些为载人航天事业默默奉献的“东风人”。

The story of China’s manned space program is one of countless unsung heroes. Generation after generation of space professionals have tirelessly dedicated themselves to the cause, paving the way for astronauts to venture into space.

中国载人航天梦从这里扬帆启航。从1999年的神舟一号试验飞船，到2024年的神舟十八号载人飞船，他们奔赴大漠戈壁，追逐飞天梦想。他们让东风成为刺破苍穹的起点，也是飞船遨游太空返回家园的终点。他们将梦想化作现实，讲述了一个个奋斗与坚守、荣耀与使命的航天故事。

From the maiden voyage of the Shenzhou I spacecraft in 1999 to the upcoming launch of the manned Shenzhou XVIII spacecraft, these space professionals have contributed their skills in many fields. They have ventured into the vast expanse of the desert, chasing the dream of space exploration.

2023年6月5日，运输分队吊装神舟十五号载人飞船返回舱，准备运出沙漠。

The return capsule of the Shenzhou XV manned spaceship is loaded on a truck to leave the desert on June 5, 2023. 

2022年5月27日，神舟十四号任务前，科技人员正在对测控设备进行复查、复核、复算。

Technicians double check measurements and control equipment on May 27, 2022, before the Shenzhou XIV mission.

2023年6月4日，神舟十五号载人飞船返回舱在东风着陆场成功着陆，搜救队员进行现场处置。

A search and rescue team member works at the landing site after the return capsule of the Shenzhou XV manned spaceship successfully lands on June 4, 2023.

2023年10月31日，神舟十六号搜救回收任务，搜索车队在戈壁滩行进。

A vehicle of the search team for the Shenzhou XVI mission drives across the Gobi Desert on Oct 31, 2023.

2023年5月22日，神舟十六号载人飞行任务前夕，科技人员王明正在对设备仪器进行校对调试，确保应急抢修设备状态良好。

Technician Wang Ming adjusts a device at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on May 22, 2023 before the launch of the Shenzhou XVI mission.

2023年5月26日，火箭箭上操作手正在进行火工品测试。

Operators test an ignition system on May 26, 2023.

2020年8月22日，科技人员对载人航天发射场垂直转运重轨进行检测。

Technicians check a rail used to move rockets on Aug 22, 2020.

2024年4月17日，神舟十八号载人飞船与长征二号F遥十八运载火箭组合体开始转运。

The Shenzhou XVIII manned spacecraft atop a Long March 2F carrier rocket is transported to the launchpad on April 17, 2024.