Blasting into the Future

Researchers and engineers watch the Long March 5B rocket being assembled at a plant in Hainan on Feb 12. CHINA DAILY

Engineers celebrate the rocket's successful arrival at its Wenchang launch pad on April 29. SU DONG/FOR CHINA DAILY

Li Dong (left), chief designer of the Long March 5 rocket family at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, talks with a colleague at the launch center on May 5. SU DONG/FOR CHINA DAILY

The reentry module of the prototype of the country's new-generation manned spacecraft is tested at a plant. CHINA ACADEMY OF SPACE TECHNOLOGY

The rocket is moved on its launch pad at the Wenchang center on April 29. SU DONG/FOR CHINA DAILY

The reentry module of the prototype of a new-generation Chinese spacecraft is inspected after landing in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region on Friday. WANG JIANGBO/FOR CHINA DAILY

The rocket is assembled at the plant in Hainan on March 9. CHINA DAILY