Lights, camera, takeoff!

"Nevertheless, I will make all-out efforts to go to the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center to take pictures of the departure of the coming manned missions. The first time I watched a rocket launch on TV at my home in Guangzhou was in October 2003, when Yang Liwei conducted the Chinese nation's first space ride from Jiuquan."

Wang says he hopes Chinese space launch centers could become more open to members of the public, including amateur photographers, so that the splendid scenes of space missions could inspire more young people.

Wang's friend, Luo Hongyang, says his purpose is simple.

"I'm an astrophotographer. I like putting beautiful scenes like stars and meteor showers and my wife and myself in one photo, which can serve as a memento of our love.

"Last year was the 10th anniversary of our relationship and the fifth of our marriage. We wanted to take our pictures with something special. So, we came up with the idea of rockets," he says.

Luo and his wife have by now witnessed five missions in Wenchang.

And he plans to continue this "romantic project".