The Shenzhou IX spaceship rocketed into space on June 16, carrying the hopes of millions of people. The three astronauts have begun their 10-odd days in space. If you were an astronaut, what would you like to do the most in space? China Daily cell phone readers shared their views with us:

I am a second-grader. I paid close attention to the launch of Shenzhou IX, and I have even put up a simulated launch pad and spaceship at home. If I were an astronaut I would take a space walk, look at the Earth from space and visit other space stations.

Li Kunyang, Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region

I had always wished to grow taller, but the time for physical growth has passed me by. Someone says that one's spine is not compressed in weightlessness so you can grow taller. So if I were an astronaut I would do stretching exercises every day, and would be about five centimeters taller by the time I came back.

HUANHUAN, Hefei

If I were one of the astronauts I would definitely fail to live up to people's expectations, as the three astronauts performed scientific experiments and completed the country's first manual space docking. All I would want to do is admire the spectacular view of the Earth and immerse myself in sunrises and sunsets.

A reader, Xi'an

I grew up in the countryside and always feel connected to farming. I wish the Chinese astronauts could step up their research efforts with super seeds in a weightless environment, so that one day China could again break the world record for rice output following the hybrid rice miracle.

Jason, Foshan, Guangdong province

There have been many reports of extraterrestrial creatures being found in China, although there is barely any concrete evidence. If I were an astronaut I would take frequent space walks, hoping to run into extraterrestrial creatures.

BIYUBINIAN, Nanping, Fujian province

I am a junior middle school student, and I like drawing. I paid close attention to the country's first manual space docking. I would use my drawing to record the historic moment if I were on the scene, painting the space and the starry sky and leaning against the window to catch sunrises and sunsets.

XIAOLAN, Shanghai

When I watched the film The Myth, the scene in which the hero and heroine roam hand in hand impressed me most. If I had the chance to go into space I would like to roam there with the woman I love, taking in the stars and sharing with her a moment of tranquility.

A reader, Changsha

If I could live and work in space I would take some seeds with me. I would breathe life into the module by growing the seeds. Then I would bring the seeds I had bred back to the Earth and sow some in my dormitory and the rest on campus, to share the "space fruits" with my classmates.

Bill Lee, Yangzhou, Jiangsu province

I like to watch the sky. If I were an astronaut I would like to see what the sky looks like when I look at it far from the Earth. Is it still blue? How far away are the other planets from the Earth? It would be great if I could take some photos.

XIAOFANG, Shenzhen, Guangdong province

(China Daily 06/25/2012 page9)