In a proud moment for China's space endeavors, the three crew members of the Shenzhou-18 mission—Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu—were honored with prestigious medals on Thursday. The recognition comes as a testament to their significant contributions to China's expanding presence in space exploration.
Ye Guangfu, a seasoned astronaut, was awarded a second-class aerospace achievement medal. This marks another accolade for Ye, who previously received the honorary title of \"Heroic Astronaut\" in 2022. His leadership and experience were instrumental during the Shenzhou-18 mission, which marked his second journey to the Chinese space station.
First-time astronauts Li Cong and Li Guangsu were each bestowed with third-class aerospace achievement medals and the honorary title of \"Heroic Astronaut.\" At just 29 years old, Li Cong was the youngest member of the crew, completing all his assigned tasks with distinction. Li Guangsu made a significant impact by successfully installing the first space debris protection device on the space station during his inaugural spacewalk.
The awards were announced by the Chinese mainland's Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission, highlighting the national importance of their achievements.
Launched on April 25, 2024, the Shenzhou-18 crewed spaceship carried the trio to the Chinese space station, where they embarked on a mission lasting approximately six months. During this time, they conducted two extravehicular activities and completed nearly 100 space science experiments and in-orbit application payload tests.
Notably, Ye Guangfu became the country's first astronaut to have lived in orbit for over a year, having previously spent six months aboard the space station during the Shenzhou-13 mission. His extensive time in space underscores China's commitment to long-duration human spaceflight.
The mission concluded successfully when the astronaut trio returned to Earth on November 4, 2024, setting a new national record by spending 192 days in orbit. Their achievements not only contribute to China's growing expertise in space exploration but also inspire future generations of astronauts and space enthusiasts worldwide.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
