'Gravity' inspires Chinese space scientists

Scientists have made efforts in this regard. Carrier rockets are designed to re-enter the atmosphere and burn up after finishing their tasks.

Tiangong-1, China's space lab currently under operation, will have enough fuel to re-enter the atmosphere after its mission ends, according to Zhang.

"This film not only shows us the beauty of space but also the danger. Manned space programs are highly risky," he noted.

There are other details in "Gravity" that interest the 52-year-old space engineering expert.

In the film, the US astronaut experiences great difficulty in entering China's space station from outside. In reality, that maneuver would be almost impossible.

"I think, when improving design in the future, we should think about how to enable a quicker and easier entry into the space station when there is an emergency," Zhang said.

Other Chinese space scientists shared similar opinions about the film.

Liang Xiaohong, Party chief of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, told Xinhua that he liked its imagination and creativity.

"In my list, this is the best ever space film," he said.

Ye Peijian, a top scientist with the Chang'e-3 program, the country's lunar probe mission, said he is glad that a space film has proved popular.

"A film like this is an efficient and lovely way to introduce complicated space science to ordinary people," Ye believes.