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by Xinhua writers Yang Chunxue and Yu Fei
JIUQUAN, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- "Three, two, one, ignition!" A rocket blasted off after the countdown, amid waves of fire and quake-like trembling in northwest China's Gobi Desert early Tuesday.
The crowds began to dissipate after seeing the rocket fade away and become a tiny spot of light in the distane. But the atmosphere in the Control Hall at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center remained tense.
Rocket scientists and engineers there had to stay focused on data transmitted back from the rocket, and it was not until 13 minutes after the launch that they were able to declare that the rocket had sent the world's first quantum communication satellite into orbit.
It was the 29th mission of the Long March 2-D rocket, taking the number of Long March rocket missions to 234. Since the end of 2015, the Long March 2-D rocket has sent a series of scientific satellites into orbit, including one to probe dark matter, a retrievable SJ-10 and the latest one now set for quantum communication.
"Scientists will discover more mysteries by conducting cutting-edge experiments in space, and what we do is to give them a lift," said Tan Xuejun, commander in chief of the Long March 2-D rocket progam, based at the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
GOLD MEDAL WINNER
Preparation work for the launch of the quantum satellite was made during the hottest time of the year, with temeratures going over 40 degrees Celsius every day for a week at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
"Twenty-four years ago, in 1992 our seniors also tolerated such heat to launch the maiden flight of the Long March 2-D," Tan said. "But their conditions were much worse. Without air conditioners, they held a bucket of cool well-water to sleep."
Since the launch of its first space satellite Dongfanghong-1 in 1970, China has gradually become one of the most advanced in the world in terms of the ability to access space.
Over the past five years, there were 70 to 80 rocket launches around the world every year, and China accounted for nearly a quarter. Over the past two years, Long March 2-D rocket' emissions made up almost the same amount of China's overall emissions, according to Tan.
"The pace of launching has accelerated compared with 10 years ago, which means we are more pressed for time in launching," said Tan.
Tight work schedules makes Tan's shuttle back and forth between Shanghai and the Gobi Desert more frequent than ever. The total time he has spent in the desert is up to nearly half a year for this year's mission.
"Ever since my career began, I have always been asked to never fail a mission," Tan said.
With rockets made up of tens of thousands of parts, however, it is no easy task to ensure zero mistakes. Tan pointed out that being meticulous is the basic working attitude the chief commander asks of his team members.
"Various measures are taken to reduce human errors to the absolute minimum," Tan said.
Over the past five years, the success rate for rocket launches in China has reached 97.7 percent, the top in the world, while the Long March 2-D rocket has been honored as a "gold medal rocket," boasting a 100 percent success rate.
"Every detail counts. Only when every one of us play his or her role well does our team work well," Tan said.
EVERY SCREW COUNTS
As a Chinese proverb goes, "the smallest errors cause the widest change in results," and this is particularly true of rocket assembly, where the tiniest screw can decide the fate of a rocket weighing hundreds of metric tons.
Xu Chao, 25, is the youngest operator on the assembly line of the Long March 2-D rocket. Wearing a headlamp, he moves about swiftly in the dim and narrow rocket chamber. He is also fully aware of the importance of one single screw.
"There are numerous screws, nuts and washers of different sizes and shapes. I always have to be extremely careful when assembling them, or something on the rocket could go wrong," Xu said.
Aside from making sure the right parts are in the right position, Xu needs to perfectly judge each twist of the screws to make sure they are not too tight or too loose.
The narrow work-space also poses a challenge for operators like Xu.
"In some place, it's even hard to stretch out our hands," says Xu, who often experiences aches and pains in different joints after keeping the same posture at work for such a long time.
As the only child in his family and one of the post-'90s generation, Xu believes that the work has somehow made him more prudent.
"Before the work, I was quite careless and not good at arranging things. The work has helped me grow up," he said.
Xu feels heartened every time he sees the rocket lifting off, as that is the time when he sees his hard work finally paying off.
"I hope to do the job well for the rest of my life," he said.
NEW PROSPECT
With the more environmentally friendly Long March-7 making its maiden flight in June, and China's largest carrier rocket the Long March-5 set to be launched later this year, the new generation of Long March rockets are under the public spotlight. Many wonder if the Long March 2-D rocket will soon be replaced.
Hong Gang, chief designer of the Long March 2-D rocket, believes it will take time for a new generation to replace it, as the rockets currently in service are more reliable and the technology relatively mature.
Different kinds of rockets play different roles in various fields. The Long March 2-D will not be withdrawn from the stage of history in the next ten years, said Tan.
The Long March 2-D, with its high reliability, has launched missions from other countries, including Turkey, Ecuador, Argentina and Spain in recent years.
"It is a cost-effective rocket with 100 percent successful launching rate, which gives us the greatest advantage in the international market," said Tan.
Moreover, the current rockets are being improved and made more efficient and competent with the adoption of new technologies, said Hong, the chief designer of the Long March 2-D rocket.
In an effort to lower costs, the Long March 2-D research team is now dedicated to developing an upper stage aircraft, dubbed a "space shuttle bus." The aircraft will be carried by the carrier rocket, with the ability to send 10 satellites into different orbits using its own power system.
