The vast universe serves as nature’s letterhead, and frontier technology writes its poetry. To celebrate the 10th Space Day of China, on April 24, under the guidance and support of the university’s Youth League Committee, the School of Astronautics spearheaded a rich lineup of activities under three major themes:

Mission to the Stars: Inheriting the Flame

Creative Aerospace: Blending Art with Intelligence

Exploring the Cosmos: Questioning the Heavens

Let’s follow the camera and embark on this romantic journey through the galaxy, immersing ourselves in the unique brilliance of the space community.

Inheriting the Spirit of Space Exploration, Nurturing Future Stars

As morning sunlight streamed into Room 201 of the Activity Center, a grand ideological and political education session themed on aerospace kicked off the festivities. Representatives from elementary to university levels gathered to hear stories of China’s space journey and retrace its historic steps. This was followed by the launch of the Qihang Cup Space Science Knowledge Competition, where contestants engaged in intense intellectual battles. From spacecraft structures to key events in aerospace history, each question was like a puzzle in a galactic maze, and students used their solid knowledge base to explore the mysteries of the stars and forge dreams of spaceflight.

In the afternoon, students visited the Ground-Based Space Environment Simulation Facility, where they came face to face with one of the nation’s key scientific installations. The awe it inspired quietly planted the seeds of aerospace dreams in their hearts. This was not just knowledge transfer—it was a passing of the torch of aerospace spirit, nurturing new hope for a strong space presence.

On campus, the “Aerospace Power in the Past Decade—Key Speeches and Major Achievements Exhibition” at the Fayuan pedestrian walkway and the weatherproof skywalk used vivid visuals and detailed information to showcase the brilliant achievements of China’s space industry and the deep, enduring bond between HIT and China’s aerospace cause.

Art Meets Science: Painting the Blueprint of Space Dreams

As daylight broke, the “Ten Years Under the Stars, Building the Aerospace Dream Together” ground painting activity began. Parking lots and apartment courtyards transformed into vibrant canvases where students, with brushes in hand, painted their visions of the stars and skies.

By midday, the Siling Street on the main campus transformed into an Interstellar Alliance—a festive zone filled with space-themed games and activities. From simulated rocket launches to an astronomy trivia, students aquired aerospace knowledge while laughing and playing, feeling the magic of the cosmos up close.

Meanwhile, the Aerospace Technology Exhibition dazzled with student-led innovation projects. Achievements from scientific and tech societies, along with creative displays from the “Pocket Exhibit on Career Paths,” drew admiring crowds.

Inside the stadium, the Aeromodelling Association put on a stunning airshow. A model of the Long March 8A rocket launcher soared into the sky, followed by thrilling multi-stage rocket launches and drone stunt performances, leaving the audience in awe.

In the afternoon, the “Flying Models” Hands-on Workshop was held in Room 201 of the Activity Center. Students became “junior engineers,” building aircraft models using wood boards and carbon rods. From drafting blueprints to final assembly, each unique little aircraft carried students’ dreams of the open sky and helped them experience the charm of aerospace engineering through hands-on creation.

Spotlight on the Frontier: Imagining the Future of Space

Academia also shone brightly during this celebration. At the Interdisciplinary Forum, experts and scholars engaged in lively discussions on the cutting edge of aerospace science and technology. The convergence of diverse academic perspectives injected fresh vitality into aerospace innovation.

In collaboration with aerospace schools from other universities under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the school held a Carrying Forward the Aerospace Spirit, Strengthening Party Leadership Student Party Building Exchange Seminar, where representatives from seven universities shared best practices and explored new approaches to integrating Party building with scientific research and education.

The Chief Engineer Forum and Engineering Master Lecture welcomed Xu Siyuan, Deputy Director and Researcher of the Beijing Institute of Power Machinery. Drawing from rich practical experience, he shared behind-the-scenes stories and challenges in aerospace engineering, offering students a rare glimpse into the life of a chief engineer and inspiration for their future paths.

As night fell, intellectual sparks continued to fly. In Room 201 of the Activity Center, the “Resonating with the Future: Science, Popularization, and Science Fiction” Cross-disciplinary Salon brought together satellite chief engineers, science fiction authors, social science experts, and science communication investors. They held in-depth conversations spanning technology and the humanities, present realities and future dreams, collectively contributing to the vision of a strong space presence.

As stars blanketed the sky, the “HIT Stargazing” Astronomy Observation Event arrived as the poetic finale. On the plaza in front of the Electrical Engineering Building, HIT’s Astronomy Enthusiasts Association, together with peers from the Weihai and Shenzhen campuses, led a night of celestial observation and livestreams, guiding students to gaze at the universe and contemplate its mysteries.

These events organized by the School of Astronautics, used knowledge transmission, artistic innovation, and academic exchange to immerse every participant in the spirit of space exploration. Looking ahead, the school will continue cultivating aerospace talent and contributing to the development of China’s space enterprise with the power of HIT.

See you next Space Day—let’s meet among the stars again!