Astronaut - 16. Ming Dynasty

The servants hesitated, looking at the mountain of gunpowder beneath their master. But Wan Hu’s gaze was fixed upward. He raised his hand. The torches descended.

Create a between Wan Hu and a skeptical emperor.

Imagine a where Wan Hu actually survives on the moon. 16. Ming Dynasty Astronaut

On the day of his ascent, Wan Hu dressed in his finest robes. He sat upon his throne, clutching a jade carving for luck. He summoned forty-seven servants, each carrying a lit torch.

Wan Hu’s workshop was a chaotic blend of alchemy and engineering. He spent his fortune commissioning a sturdy wooden chair, reinforced with iron and painted in the deep vermilion of the imperial court. On either side of the chair, he attached two enormous kites, designed to catch the celestial winds. Beneath the seat, he meticulously lashed forty-seven of the largest, most potent fire-rockets ever forged. The servants hesitated, looking at the mountain of

First appeared in 20th-century Western literature, later becoming a popular myth.

In honor of this story, a crater on the far side of the moon is officially named Wan-Hoo . The torches descended

While largely considered a legend or folklore, the story of is often cited in aerospace circles as the world's first "astronaut" attempt.