Pan Gaofeng, a passionate rocket R&D engineer born in the 1980s, began his journey into the stars after earning his graduate degree. He joined the First Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology, known as the cradle of China’s launch vehicles. Early in his career, Pan was honored to become part of the development team behind the Long March 5 (CZ-5)—China’s most powerful launch vehicle to date.
It wasn’t an easy path. Together with veteran engineers and dedicated teammates, Pan faced countless technical challenges and setbacks. There were times when doubt loomed large—not just within, but from voices outside the team who questioned their capabilities. But Pan and his team never gave up. Driven by perseverance and a shared dream, they pushed forward, learning from failure, growing stronger with every step.
Their tireless effort eventually paid off. The successful launch of the Long March 5 marked not just a personal milestone, but a national one—helping China move from being a major player in space exploration to standing tall as a true space power.
