China honored the three astronauts of the Shenzhou-18 mission—Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu—with prestigious medals on Thursday, acknowledging their significant 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 along with the honorary title of \"Heroic Astronaut.\" Ye, a seasoned astronaut, had previously been honored with the title of \"Heroic Astronaut\" in 2022.
The accolades were bestowed by the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission, underscoring the astronauts' dedication and achievements during their groundbreaking mission.
Launched on April 25, 2024, the Shenzhou-18 crewed spaceship embarked on a mission that set new records for China's space program. Commanded by Ye Guangfu, the mission marked his second journey to the Chinese space station. With this mission, Ye became the first Chinese astronaut to have spent over a year in orbit, having previously lived aboard the space station for six months during the Shenzhou-13 mission.
For Li Cong and Li Guangsu, Shenzhou-18 was their inaugural voyage into space. Li Cong, the youngest crew member, successfully completed all assigned tasks, demonstrating remarkable proficiency. Li Guangsu made history by installing the first space debris protection device on the space station during his maiden 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. These endeavors have significantly advanced China's space exploration capabilities and contributed valuable scientific data.
The trio returned to Earth on November 4, 2024, after spending a record-breaking time in orbit, exemplifying the spirit of exploration and innovation that drives China's space program.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
