Family members wave goodbye to the crew. QIN BIN/FOR CHINA DAILY

Since the first implementation of the Asia 2 satellite measurement and control mission in 1995, Yuanwang 3 has made a major mark in the history of China's aerospace history. Whether it is the launch of the Shenzhou I spacecraft, the docking of the Shenzhou X spacecraft and the Tiangong I, the Chang'e exploration of the moon, or the Beidou navigation satellite reaching orbit, Yuanwang 3 has played a significant role in these milestone projects in the history of Chinese space travel.

Yuanwang 3 completed 54 voyages, within a footprint that extended as far as the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans, and with a cumulative range of more than 700,000 nautical miles. It fulfilled 86 major maritime measurement and control missions successfully, setting the longest voyage and performance record for any Chinese survey vessel. Of all its achievements, the 100 percent success rate in offshore measurement and control missions was the most outstanding.

Each mission saw the vessel take to sea for between 30 and 100 days. On Yuanwang 3, which is 180 meters long and 22 meters wide, the crew spent most of their time living and working within confined spaces.

The ship traveled alone across vast oceans, and the crew were greeted daily by the extraordinary sight of boundless blue seas and skies stretching out to infinity. These seemingly romantic trips out to sea were not just physically and psychologically demanding for the crew. The time differences that need to be adjusted to every few days took their toll on even the most seasoned mariners.