A high-tech vegetable factory at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China is producing fresh food to ensure the healthy dietary and well-being of China's astronauts during their space mission.
The China Manned Space Agency announced on Tuesday that the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship is scheduled to be launched at 04:27 Wednesday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, with three Chinese astronauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze on board.
To ensure the astronauts to taste fresh vegetables during their six-month stay in space, researchers and scientists established a vegetable factory in 2021 at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, the iconic hub of China's space exploration.
Despite no soil or sunlight, vegetables are thriving inside the factory thanks to a sophisticated hybridity of technologies.
"There are four major systems working together here, namely artificial lighting, nutrient solution, cultivation and environment and temperature control. The artificial lighting system mimics sunlight, while the nutrient solution system replaces the traditional soil and substrate. The factory takes up a smaller space, but its output is relatively high," said Yuan Bin, a staff member of the vegetable factory.
Resembling a space-age garden, the vegetable factory features a sterile environment that ensures the safety of the food produced inside.
"No pesticides or fertilizers are used throughout the entire vegetable growth process, and there are no pests or diseases. This guarantees the absolute safety of [the astronauts'] food. Once the astronauts arrive, we will harvest the vegetables on-site to ensure they receive the freshest produce possible," Yuan said.
A variety of vegetables and fruits can be found in the vegetable factory, including cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and even watermelons.
"We primarily provide two types of vegetables for [the astronauts] to take into space, cherry tomatoes and cucumbers. They are ripe, and taste sweet and juicy," said Yuan.
The vegetable factory also includes a packing line, where staff members package vegetables into small containers with salad sauces.
For Yuan, the upcoming Shenzhou-19 mission is the eighth manned space mission that he has supported. He said these packages of fresh vegetables also embody his wish for the mission.
"I wish for the complete success of the Shenzhou-19 mission and hope that China's space program continues to advance and reaches new heights," said Yuan.
High-tech vegetable factory ensures healthy dietary for astronauts in space
As the Qingming Festival approaches this Friday, various traditional folk activities have been held across China, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the occasion.
With a 2,500-year history, Qingming Festival, or the Festival of Pure Brightness, observed in early April, uniquely combines ancestral worship with the celebration of spring. Falling on the 15th day after the spring equinox, this ritual-rich observance reflects China's enduring values of ancestral veneration and inspires deep introspection about what gives life meaning.
In Sijia Village, Huayin City, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, a unique swing festival is held to mark the occasion. Eighteen different types of traditional swings, such as the spinning wheel swing, the Bagua swing reminiscent of a rotating carousel, and the balance swing designed for two people, have attracted many visitors.
Historically, Sijia Village served as a military post guarding the strategic Tongguan pass, a former mountain pass and fortress located south of the confluence of the Wei and Yellow Rivers. The swing tradition in the village has its origins in military training exercises like climbing and river crossing. The local swing culture further developed as regional trade flourished, eventually evolving into the "swing festival" that continues today.
"It's very exciting and tests your skill, endurance, and most importantly, your arm strength. You need to maintain balance," said Qu Xiangyang, a visitor.
In Rudong County, Nantong City, east China's Jiangsu Province, another traditional Qingming activity takes place - kite flying.
Flying kites as a way of making wishes is an age-old Qingming custom in this region. As a result, the Qingming Festival in Nantong is also known as the "Kite Festival."
The local Banyao whistling kite making skills is listed as one of the first national intangible cultural heritage items.
According to a folk culture expert, people traditionally write the names of diseases or misfortunes on paper, attach it to a kite, and release it into the sky. This practice is believed to drive away illness and disaster, while also serving as a way to make wishes.
In south China's Guangdong Province, a large tug-of-war competition is underway in Maoming City. Teams from different towns and streets are competing, attracting many locals to cheer on their teams.
Tug-of-war, which originated during the late Spring and Autumn period (770 BC - 476 BC), became part of Qingming customs during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty once organized large-scale tug-of-war competitions for the festival.
"Tug-of-war became very popular in the Tang Dynasty, even emerging as the national sport. It originated in the Jingchu region and later spread across the country. In ancient Lingnan (Southern China), tug-of-war games were a common tradition. Through these events, people seek to pray for peace, prosperity, and abundant harvests," said Yao Guojun, vice dean of the College of Arts and Law, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology.
Traditional folk activities held for Qingming Festival
