THE Tiangong space station is set to receive a returning visitor, as taikonaut Ye Guangfu prepares to embark on another six-month stint in orbit.

Speaking to the press, the country’s youngest space crew commander wore a gentle smile, exuding ease and confidence, just as he had exhibited during his first space journey about three years ago.

Ye leaves people with a warm and cheerful impression. He was seen at the opening ceremony of the 31st FISU World University Games in Chengdu last July. As a taikonaut born in the host city, Ye was selected as the leading torchbearer. Given his extraordinary journey to space, where he ventured closer to the sun than any other ordinary Chinese person, his presence symbolized harnessing the power of the sun to illuminate the torch.

The word “light” was destined to be an integral part of Ye’s life, not only because the second character of his name “Guang” means “light or brightness,” but also because he was given the honor of naming a dark cave as the “Guangming (light) Gallery” during his participation in an underground astronaut training organized by the European Space Agency (ESA) in 2016.

Ye and five other astronauts from the United States, Russia, Spain, and Japan spent six days in Sardinian caves completing tasks such as climbing, exploring and surveying in dark and damp environments.

The ESA website features photos of Ye participating in climbing and diving activities, as well as training vlogs where he fluently speaks English and impresses everyone with his great sense of humor.

In one video clip, Ye, donning a caving suit and safety helmet with a searchlight, jokingly pretended to be scared by his mischievous teammate’s ghostly appearance at night, hilariously exaggerating a terrified expression on his face.

Ye was selected to join the second batch of Chinese taikonauts in 2010 after amassing 1,100 hours of flight time as a fighter pilot.

Ye made a heart gesture with his fingers upon safely landing in the Gobi Desert, marking the conclusion of his first six-month space journey in April 2022. Upon his arrival in Beijing, he warmly embraced his beloved wife at the airport.                 (Xinhua)