In a ceremony held on Thursday, China honored the three astronauts of the Shenzhou-18 mission—Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu—with prestigious medals for their outstanding contributions to the nation's space endeavors.
Ye Guangfu was awarded a second-class aerospace achievement medal, marking his continued excellence in China's space program. Li Cong and Li Guangsu each received third-class aerospace achievement medals and were bestowed the honorary title of \"Heroic Astronaut.\" This accolade recognizes their exceptional performance during the mission, which marked their inaugural journey into space. Ye, a veteran astronaut, had previously received the honorary title in 2022.
The decision to honor the astronauts was made by the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission, highlighting the national significance of their achievements.
The Shenzhou-18 crewed spacecraft was launched on April 25, 2024. As the crew commander, Ye Guangfu embarked on his second mission to China's space station, where he spent approximately six months. Previously, during the Shenzhou-13 mission, Ye became the first Chinese astronaut to live in orbit for over a year, demonstrating remarkable endurance and commitment.
For Li Cong and Li Guangsu, Shenzhou-18 represented their first mission into space. Li Cong, the youngest member of the crew, successfully completed all assigned tasks, showcasing his skill and dedication. 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 astronauts conducted two extravehicular activities and carried out nearly 100 space science experiments and in-orbit application payload tests. Their work has significantly advanced China's capabilities in space exploration and scientific research.
On November 4, 2024, the astronaut trio safely returned to Earth, setting a new record for the longest duration spent in orbit by Chinese astronauts. Their successful mission not only marks a milestone in China's space program but also inspires future generations of explorers.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
