China has honored the three astronauts of its Shenzhou-18 mission with prestigious medals for their remarkable contributions to the nation's space endeavors.
Ye Guangfu received a second-class aerospace achievement medal, while Li Cong and Li Guangsu were awarded third-class aerospace achievement medals and the honorary title of \"Heroic Astronaut.\" Ye, a veteran astronaut, was previously honored with the title of \"Heroic Astronaut\" in 2022.
The decision to award the medals was made by the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission.
The Shenzhou-18 crewed spacecraft was launched on April 25, 2024, marking Commander Ye's second journey to China's space station. During the mission, Ye lived aboard the station for approximately six months, adding to his previous six-month stay during the Shenzhou-13 mission. This achievement makes him China's first astronaut to have lived in orbit for over a year.
For Li Cong and Li Guangsu, Shenzhou-18 was their maiden spaceflight. Li Cong, the youngest member of the crew, successfully completed all his assigned tasks. Li Guangsu made significant contributions by installing the first space debris protection device on the space station during his inaugural spacewalk.
Throughout their 192-day mission, the Shenzhou-18 crew conducted two extravehicular activities and carried out nearly 100 space science experiments and in-orbit application payload tests. Their efforts have significantly advanced China's space exploration capabilities and contributed valuable scientific data.
The trio returned to Earth on November 4, 2024, after setting a new national record for the longest time spent in orbit.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
