China's Shenzhou-20 crew has achieved a new milestone in space exploration, completing their fourth extravehicular activity (EVA) aboard the Tiangong space station. The mission, confirmed by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), underscores China's growing capabilities in orbital operations and crew coordination.
Commander Chen Dong and taikonauts Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie concluded the six-hour spacewalk at 1:35 a.m. Beijing Time on Friday. The operation marked a historic first: Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie became the first members of China's third-generation taikonaut cohort to jointly conduct an EVA. Their tasks included installing critical debris protection equipment and conducting thorough inspections of the station's exterior.
With this achievement, the Shenzhou-20 team now holds the record for the most EVAs conducted by a single Chinese crew. Having spent over 150 days in orbit, they continue to advance scientific research through experiments and technical tests. The crew is also preparing to celebrate China's National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival in space—a symbolic fusion of technological prowess and cultural tradition.
The CMSA emphasized the mission's success in demonstrating China's evolving space station management strategies, particularly through the seamless coordination between crew members, the station's robotic arm, and ground control teams.
