“太空出差三人组”即将返程，细数藏在航天器名字里的中式浪漫~

“东有启明，西有长庚。”探寻星河、发现未知，我们用藏在航天器名字里的中国式浪漫和太空说着情话。“神舟”“玉兔”“鸿雁”“天宫”，从这些别具巧思的命名中差不多就能猜出每个航天器的主要职能。一起来看看你猜对了哪些吧~

“In the east, it is the Morning Star; and in the west, it is the Twilight Star.” In exploring the galaxy and the unknown realm, we have been relaying to the firmament the Chinese romance hidden in spacecraft names. For example, “Shenzhou” (lit. Divine Ship), “Yutu” (lit. Jade Rabbit), “Hongyan” (lit. Swan Goose) and “Tiangong” (lit. Heavenly Palace) are all important spacecraft. From their ingenious names, we can almost guess the main purpose of each spacecraft. Let’s take a look at them one by one. 

“神舟”

“Shenzhou”

“神州”：“中国名为赤县神州。”（《史记·孟子荀卿列传》）

“Shenzhou” (lit. the Divine Land): “The Middle Kingdom is known as Chixian Shenzhou." (“Biographies of Mencius and Xunzi” in Historical Records)

用途：载人飞船

命名来源：“神舟”意为“神奇的天河之舟”，也是“神州”的谐音。1994年初，“神舟”从众多方案中脱颖而出，成为中国自主制造的载人飞船的名字。2021年10月16日，神舟十三号载人飞船与中国“天宫”空间站组合体完成对接。

Purpose：manned spacecraft

Allusion for the name：“Shenzhou” (the Divine Ship) which means “the magical ship of heavenly river”, and it is also a homonym for “Shenzhou” (the Divine Land). In early 1994, “Shenzhou” emerged from many proposals and became the name for the manned spacecraft independently made by China. On October 16, 2021, the Shenzhou-13 crewed spacecraft docked with China’s “Tiangong” space station complex.

搭载神舟十三号载人飞船的长征二号F遥十三运载火箭点火发射

The Long March-2F Remote 13 carrier rocket carrying the Shenzhou-13 crewed spacecraft blasting off

“天宫”

“Tiangong”

“不知天上宫阙，今夕是何年。”（《水调歌头·明月几时有》）

“I do not know what time of the year, it would be tonight in the palace on high.” (“How long will the full moon appear? Tune: Prelude to Water Melody”)

用途：天舟——货运飞船；天宫——空间站

命名来源：2013年10月，中国载人航天工程办公室对外正式发布中国载人航天工程标识及中国载人空间站、货运飞船名称。中国载人空间站整体被命名为“天宫”，货运飞船被命名为“天舟”。“天宫”是中国神话传说中天帝的居所，寄托了中华民族的飞天梦想。空间站预计在2022年完成在轨建造。

Purpose：Tianzhou-cargo spacecraft; Tiangong-space station

Allusion for the name：In October 2013, China’s Manned Space Engineering Office officially released the logo for China’s Manned Space Project and the names of its manned space station and cargo spacecraft, which are “Tiangong” and “Tianzhou” respectively. Originally the name for the residence of the Emperor of Heaven in Chinese myths and legends, “Tiangong” embodies the dream of exploring the firmament for the Chinese peoples. The space station is expected to be completed in orbit in 2022.

天舟一号与天宫二号对接

Tianzhou-1 docking with Tiangong-2

“悟空”

“Wukong”

“这厮瞒神唬鬼，铜筋铁骨，火眼金睛。”（《西游记杂剧》）

“The bastard rides roughshod over the gods and ghosts, with his cast-iron constitution and fiery eyes.” (Journey to the West in Zaju Opera)

用途：暗物质粒子探测卫星

命名来源：2015年12月16日，暗物质粒子探测卫星命名为“悟空”。孙悟空是中国四大名著之一《西游记》中的一只神猴，陪伴唐僧历经艰难取得真经。卫星以“悟空”命名，有探索太空之意。另外，孙悟空的绝技“火眼金睛”，正如卫星的探测器，可以在茫茫太空中识别暗物质的踪影。

Purpose：Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) Satellite

Allusion for the name：On December 16, 2015, the Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) Satellite was named “Wukong”, which is from the name of the “Monkey King.” In Journey to the West, one of China’s four great masterpieces, the namesake protagonist is an immortal monkey that helps the Monk of Tang to retrieve a sacred Buddhist script after untold trials and tribulations. In Chinese, the term wukong also means “exploring the space” literally. The satellite was so named to express the hope that it will be able to catch glimpses of dark matter in the vast space, just as the Monkey King can see through the most misleading tricks of his enemies with his piercing eyes.

“悟空号”暗物质粒子探测卫星

“Wukong”, the Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) Satellite

“祝融”

“Zhurong”

“南方祝融，兽身人面，乘两龙。”（《山海经·海外南经》）

“Zhurong resides in the south, has the body of a beast and the face of a human being and rides on two dragons.” (The Classic of Mountains and Seas: The Southern Territories)

用途：火星车

命名来源：2021年4月24日，中国首辆火星车名称揭晓，“祝融号”脱颖而出。祝融在中国传统文化中被尊为最早的火神。首辆火星车命名为祝融，寓意点燃中国星际探测的火种，指引人类对浩瀚星空的接续探索和自我超越。

Purpose：Mars rover

Allusion for the name：On April 24, 2021, “Zhurong” was announced the name of China’s first Mars rover. The rover is named after Zhurong, the earliest god of fire in traditional Chinese culture. The name implies the commencement of China’s interstellar exploration in unending exploration and self-transcendence in the vast starry sky.

“祝融号”火星车

“Zhurong” Mars Rover

“天问”

“Tianwen”

“遂古之初，谁传道之？上下未形，何由考之？”（《天问》）

“Before the ancient times began, who was leading the flow of this state? Where did the world originate before it took shape?” (“Questions to Heaven”)

用途：中国行星探测任务

命名来源：“天问”的命名源于屈原的长诗《天问》，体现了对自然和宇宙空间探索的文化传承。2020年4月24日，中国国家航天局宣布正式命名中国首次火星探测任务为“天问一号”，中国行星探测任务为“天问系列”。2020年7月23日，“天问一号”探测器踏上前往火星的飞行旅程。

Purpose：China’s planetary exploration mission

Allusion for the name：The name “Tianwen” is derived from the namesake longform poem of Qu Yuan, embodying the cultural inheritance of exploring nature and space. On April 24, 2020, the China National Space Administration announced that China’s first Mars exploration mission and planetary exploration mission were officially named “Tianwen-1” and “Tianwen series” respectively. On July 23, 2020, “Tianwen-1” probe embarked on its flight journey to Mars.

“天问一号”探测器

“Tianwen-1” Mars Probe

“墨子号”

“Mozi”

“先秦唯墨子颇治科学”——蔡元培

“Among the schools of Pre-Qin, the Mohist School is noteworthy in scientific study.”--Cai Yuanpei

用途：世界首颗量子科学实验卫星

命名来源：2016年8月15日，世界首颗量子科学实验卫星的名字首次公开，为“墨子号”。中国古代思想家墨子及其弟子所著的《墨经》记载了世界上第一个“小孔成像”实验，第一次对光直线传播进行科学解释，为量子通信发展打下一定基础，故以“墨子号”命名。

Purpose：The world’s first quantum science experiment satellite

Allusion for the name：On August 15, 2016, the name of the world’s first quantum science experiment satellite was made public for the first time— “Mozi.” In Mohist Classic, the book written by the ancient Chinese thinker Mozi and his disciples, there is record of the world’s first “pinhole imaging” experiment and scientific explanation to the phenomenon of light traveling in a straight line. The first quantum science experiment satellite was so named to honor the contributions of Mozi to the development of quantum communication.

“墨子号”卫星首次实现1200公里量子纠缠

“Mozi” Satellite Achieving 1,200km Quantum Entanglement for the First Time

“鸿雁”

“Hongyan”

“言天子射上林中，得雁，足有系帛书，言武等在某泽中。”（《史记·苏武传》）

"It is said that a silk letter was found tied to a foot of the wild goose shot by the Emperor with an arrow during a hunt in the imperial garden. The letter said that Su Wu was in a certain marsh.” (“Biographies of Su Wu” in Historical Records)

用途：全球低轨卫星移动通信系统

命名来源：鸿雁是大型候鸟，中国传统文化中常用鸿雁比喻书信和传递书信的人。鸿雁的命名寓意“鸿雁传信，永不失联”

Purpose：Global Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Communications Constellation

Allusion for the name：The swan goose is a large migratory bird. In traditional Chinese culture, it is often used metaphorically to refer to letters and messengers. The satellite system has been so named for the implication of “the swan goose serving as the messenger that always brings you together.”

“鸿雁”卫星星座通信系统

“Hongyan” Satellite Constellation Communication System

“北斗”

“Beidou”

“河汉纵且恒，北斗横复直。”（《夜夜曲》）

“The Milky Way flows on and on, while the Big Dipper changes its shape to and fro.” (“Sleepless Night Rhapsody”)

用途：全球卫星导航系统

命名来源：“复移小凳扶窗立，教识中天北斗星。”北斗七星是古人夜观天象之后对于大熊座的天枢、天璇、天玑、天权、玉衡、开阳、摇光七颗星的命名，古代中国人用此来辨别方向。“北斗”卫星导航系统为全球用户提供全天候、全天时、高精度的定位、导航和授时服务。

Purpose：Global Satellite Navigation System

Allusion for the name：“Moving the small stool to the window to tell the name of the stars of Big Dipper.” The Big Dipper is the collective name given by ancient Chinese as they watched the starry sky to seven stars of the Ursa Major Constellation, including Tianshu, Tianxuan, Tianji, Tianquan, Yuheng, Kaiyang, and Yaoguang. It was used in ancient China for determining the direction. The “Beidou” Satellite Navigation System is intended to provide global users with all-weather 24-hour high-precision positioning, navigation and timing services.

“北斗”卫星导航系统

“Beidou” Satellite Navigation System

“嫦娥”

“Chang’e”

“但愿人长久，千里共婵娟。”（《水调歌头·明月几时有》）

“So let us wish that man will live long as he can! Though miles apart, we'll share the beauty she displays.” (“The Midautumn Festival, Tune: Prelude to Water Melody”)

用途：探月工程（“嫦娥工程”）；月球探测器（“嫦娥”）

命名来源：在中国古代传说中，嫦娥被坏人所逼，无奈之下，吃下了西王母赐给丈夫后羿的一粒不死之药后，飞到了月宫。流传了数千年的神话“嫦娥奔月”，源自古人对星辰的浪漫想象。2004年，中国正式开展月球探测工程，命名为“嫦娥工程”，分为“无人月球探测”“载人登月”和“建立月球基地”三个阶段。

Purpose：Lunar Exploration Project (“Chang’e Project”); Lunar Probe (“Chang’e”)

Allusion for the name：In ancient Chinese legend, Chang’e was forced into dire straits by evil doers and had to flee from them. She took the pill of immortality given to her husband Houyi by the Queen Mother of the West and flew to the moon palace. Told for thousands of years, the myth “Chang’e Flying to the Moon” originated from the romantic imagination of the stars by the ancients. In 2004, China officially launched its lunar exploration project, namely the “Chang'e Project”, which consists of three phases: “unmanned lunar exploration”, “manned landing on the moon” and “establishment of a lunar base.”

中国首颗月球探测器“嫦娥1号”月球卫星

“Chang’e-1” Lunar Satellite, China’s first lunar probe

“玉兔”

“Yutu”

“夜光何德，死而又育？厥利维何，而顾菟在腹。”（《天问》）

“By virtue of what can the moon disappear and then rise again? Again, by virtue of what can the jade rabbit seek accommodation in the moon?” (“Questions to Heaven”)

用途：嫦娥三号月球探测器巡视器，又名“月球车”

命名来源：“玉兔”的名称来自全球征集，在近65万网民的推荐下，“玉兔”最终脱颖而出。在神话传说中，嫦娥怀抱玉兔奔月。玉兔善良、纯洁、敏捷的形象与月球车的构造和使命形神皆仿，反映了中国和平探索太空的立场。

Purpose：Rover for Chang’e-3 Lunar Probe, also known as “the lunar rover”

Allusion for the name：The name “Yutu” was the result of a global solicitation. It finally came to the fore with the recommendation of nearly 650,000 netizens. In myths and legends, Chang’e flew to the moon with a jade rabbit in her arms. The kindness, purity and agility of the rabbit are fully encapsulated in the structure and mission of the lunar rover, reflecting China's stance on peaceful exploration of space.

“玉兔号”月球车

“Yutu” Lunar Rover

“鹊桥”

“Queqiao”

“柔情似水，佳期如梦，忍顾鹊桥归路。”（《鹊桥仙》）

“Their tender love flows like a stream; this happy date seems but a dream. Can they bear a separate homeward way? " (“Immortal at the Magpie Bridge”)

用途：嫦娥四号中继通信卫星

命名来源：2018年4月24日，为嫦娥四号探测器提供地月通信支持的中继星被正式命名为“鹊桥”。这颗蕴含“喜鹊搭桥、牛郎织女相会”浪漫寓意的中继卫星，为地面与嫦娥四号之间搭起一座通信联络的“太空鹊桥”

Purpose：relay satellite for Chang'e-4

Allusion for the name：On April 24, 2018, the relay satellite providing Earth-Moon communication support for the Chang’e-4 lunar probe was officially named “Queqiao.” Named after the romantic allusion of “magpies building a bridge across the Milky Way for the cowherd and weaver girl to be reunited”, it builds a “space magpie bridge” for communication between the ground and Chang’e-4.

嫦娥四号中继通信卫星“鹊桥”

“Queqiao”, the Relay Satellite of Chang’e-4 

当人类第一次抬头仰望星空时，对宇宙的好奇与探索，便永远种在了我们心底。宇宙面前何其渺小的我们，凭借内心的勇敢和憧憬，踏上了这条永不停息的探索星空的道路。

Our first looking up at the starry sky has stirred our curiosity for exploring the universe. Negligible as we are in comparison, we have drawn on our bravery and longing to embark on the never-ending path to explore the sea of stars.

“神舟”“嫦娥”“玉兔”“鸿雁”“天宫”……我们的征途是星辰大海！我们的背后是千年传承！

“Shenzhou”, “Chang’e”, “Yutu”, “Hongyan”, “Tiangong”... Our object of quest is the sea of stars! Our support is the legacy honored for centuries! 

航天特别篇

往期精选

内容统筹：吴晓静 刘希 杨立梦（实习） 

美术编辑：杨立梦（实习）

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