China's Shenzhou-20 astronauts successfully concluded their second extravehicular activity (EVA) aboard the Tiangong space station on Thursday, marking another milestone in the nation's expanding space exploration program. The six-and-a-half-hour operation, conducted by crew members Chen Dong and Chen Zhongrui, focused on critical upgrades to ensure the station's long-term functionality and safety.
Precision in the Void
Working under the guidance of mission control and assisted by the station's robotic arm, the duo installed a debris protection device and conducted thorough inspections of external equipment. Their efforts also included setting up specialized adapters on the extravehicular platform – modifications expected to streamline future spacewalks by reducing preparation time by 40 minutes.
Science Takes Center Stage
With the technical upgrades completed, the crew will now shift focus to pioneering research in space life sciences, microgravity physics, and materials science. These experiments could yield breakthroughs in medical treatments, advanced manufacturing, and sustainable space habitation technologies.
The CMSA emphasized that the mission's progress demonstrates China's growing capabilities in sustained orbital operations, laying groundwork for future international collaborations in space exploration.
