SpaceX, Elon Musk's rocket company, launched the newly designed Crew Dragon capsule, carrying four astronauts to space on Nov. 16.The spacecraft successfully docked(对接) with the International Space Station ( ISS) on Nov. 17.

This is the first time that NASA has sent a crew into orbit entirely via a privately-owned spacecraft. “It's the start of a new era in which routine astronaut journeys to the low Earth orbit are being conducted by commercial providers,” NASA said. NASA's commercial manned program has taken a lot of risks. Whether the funding is sufficient in the long term and whether the companies have the capabilities to solve all the technical difficulties have been repeatedly questioned by the US Congress.

Before the launch, NASA had cooperated with SpaceX for more than a decade to build a manned spacecraft. Back in 2014, NASA was facing a vital decision—choosing the finalists to complete the task of developing alternative space shuttles. Eventually, it came down to Boeing and SpaceX. There was fierce competition between the two companies to complete the mission.

In December 2019, Boeing's manned spaceship, CST-100 Starliner, went through a test flight, but due to multiple errors, it failed to reach the ISS. The recent launch of the Crew Dragon capsule wasn't flawless, either. An air leak caused an unexpected drop in the capsule's pressure less than two hours before the launch, a NASA official said. Thanks to the technicians, the launch wasn't affected.

In the coming year, US actor Tom Cruise will start a commercial space journey on the Dragon capsule to film a movie at the ISS. At the same time, Boeing is catching up. The company will conduct another unmanned flight in 2021, and its first manned mission will take place sometime in 2022. “It very much follows the aviation(航空) era when airliners used to be government-run, and now of course they've been commercial for a number of decades,” said one of the Dragon capsule crew members.

After taking a few steps back to get a running start, Hadj Benhalima dashed toward the building, pushed against its wall with his foot, pushed himself upward and stretched out his arm.

At the peak of his leap, he fingered oft a light switch, more than 1o feet off the ground. The bright lights of a nearby barbershop went off instantly

Groups of young athletes practicing Parkour—the practice of passing obstacles in a man—made or natural environment through the use of running, vaulting (腾跃), jumping, climbing, rolling, and other movements in order to travel from one point to another in the quickest and most efficient way possible without the use of equipment—have been swinging around big French cities switching off wasteful shop signs at night, in an effort to fight light pollution and save energy.

These so—called Light Off operations have become extra popular in recent months, with France embarking on energy conservation efforts.

Paris, the City of Light, is a favorite target. While its landmark monuments now go dark earlier than usual, many store signs still stay lit all night.

“Everyone can contribute in their own way” to save energy, said Kevin Ha, the leader of the Paris—based Op he Spot Parkour group, with about 20 members. “We put our physical abilities to good use.”

Enforcing the orders in place of the authorities certainly enters a legal gray area. But the group said all the police officers they have met during their rounds have approved of their deeds—as long as it causes no damage.

“Luckily, I have some outside space on my balcony (阳台). I love surprising myself with what I can successfully grow there. It is a not so-secret trick: going vertical (垂直),” said Song, a college student from Shandong Province, when interviewed by a local media.

According to a recent report, the sales of vegetable seeds online in the first quarter doubled compared with the same period last year. Sales of products like gardening tools have increased by three times since April of last year. Out of all the people buying farming tools and seeds, most were born after 2000, like Song.

Song, a young “balcony farmer”, said his passion for planting was formed in his childhood when he lived with his grandma in the countryside, who liked to plant seasonal vegetables in her backyard garden. Now, Song lives in the city without a yard, but he continues his hobby with a balcony garden. “Growing fruits and vegetables not only brings delicious food, but also reminds me of the happy times with my grandma,” said Song.

Song is not alone. Fang Hua, from a computer company, considers planting a garden a good way to relax and develop patience. Bearing many working responsibilities, the 26- year old girl sometimes feels stressful. To relax herself, she started planting seeds and waited patiently on her balcony in 2021. After half a year, her balcony has become a “small garden”, including different flowers and herds.

“I need a space to escape from my daily duties,” Fang said, seeing the various colors and breathing fresh air. “I feel closer to nature on my balcony.” The vegetables and herbs may not be main foods on our table, but they will surely add a touch of taste to our busy days.

The youth like Song and Fang believe being a city farmer means a lot to their life. In fact, the young people of the new era seem to know life better than their parents.