China has honored the three astronauts of the Shenzhou-18 mission—Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu—with prestigious medals recognizing their outstanding contributions to the nation's space exploration efforts. The awards were presented on Thursday by the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission.
Ye Guangfu, the mission's commander and a veteran astronaut, received a second-class aerospace achievement medal. This accolade adds to his previous recognition; he was awarded the honorary title of \"Heroic Astronaut\" in 2022 following the Shenzhou-13 mission. His experience and leadership were instrumental in the success of Shenzhou-18, marking his second journey to China's space station.
First-time astronauts Li Cong and Li Guangsu were awarded third-class aerospace achievement medals along with the honorary title of \"Heroic Astronaut.\" Li Cong, the youngest member of the crew, executed all assigned tasks with excellence. Li Guangsu made a significant contribution by successfully installing the first space debris protection device on the space station during his inaugural spacewalk.
The Shenzhou-18 spacecraft was launched on April 25, 2024, embarking on a mission that set new records for China's space program. Over the course of 192 days in orbit—a record-breaking duration for a Chinese crew—the astronauts conducted two extravehicular activities and carried out nearly 100 space science experiments and in-orbit application payload tests.
Their return to Earth on November 4, 2024, marked the completion of a mission that not only advanced scientific knowledge but also demonstrated China's growing capabilities in manned spaceflight. Ye Guangfu's cumulative time in space now exceeds one year, making him the country's first astronaut to achieve this milestone.
The success of the Shenzhou-18 mission reflects China's ongoing commitment to exploring space and contributing to the global understanding of science and technology. The honored astronauts serve as inspirations for future generations interested in space exploration.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
