A new Chinese documentary is giving the public an ultra high definition look at life in space – and capturing the imagination of fans, including award-winning science fiction writer Liu Cixin.
Shenzhou 13 is the first production to be shot in space on a format known as 8K and was filmed by the crew on China’s space station.
02:20
Shenzhou 13 astronauts return to Earth after 6 months on China’s longest space mission yet
Shenzhou 13 astronauts return to Earth after 6 months on China’s longest space mission yet
It was released nationwide on September 5, with Liu, the Hugo Award-winning author of the science fiction trilogy The Three-body Problem, among those at the premiere.
“What excites me even more is the prospect of China’s lunar landing in 2030, which may showcase even more awe-inspiring achievements that once belonged only to science fiction,” Chinese magazine Science Fiction World quoted Liu as saying.
“For science fiction fans, it is only natural to want to see those visions brought to life.
“I truly believe we still have a real chance to journey into space ourselves. As technology matures and becomes commercialised, space travel may soon expand rapidly, opening up to everyone.”
The documentary follows Chinese astronauts Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping and Ye Guangfu during their six-month mission aboard the Tiangong space station from October 2021, and is narrated by Wang, the first woman Chinese astronaut to walk in space.
