In a ceremony held on Thursday, the three crew members of China's Shenzhou-18 mission – Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu – were honored with prestigious medals for their significant contributions to China's space endeavors.
Ye Guangfu, a veteran astronaut, was awarded a second-class aerospace achievement medal. His crewmates, Li Cong and Li Guangsu, each received third-class aerospace achievement medals and the esteemed honorary title of \"Heroic Astronaut.\" Notably, Ye had previously been bestowed the \"Heroic Astronaut\" title in 2022.
The accolades were conferred by the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission, recognizing the astronauts' dedication and achievements in advancing the nation's space exploration efforts.
The Shenzhou-18 crewed spacecraft was launched on April 25, 2024, marking Ye Guangfu's second journey to China's space station. During this mission, he lived aboard the station for approximately six months, adding to his previous six-month stay during the Shenzhou-13 mission. This accomplishment made Ye the country's first astronaut to have lived in orbit for over a year cumulatively.
For Li Cong and Li Guangsu, Shenzhou-18 was their inaugural spaceflight mission. Li Cong, the youngest member of the crew, excelled in all assigned tasks, demonstrating exceptional skill and commitment. Li Guangsu made history by successfully installing the first space debris protection device on the space station during his initial spacewalk.
Throughout their 192-day mission, the trio 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 scientific research and technological capabilities in space.
The astronauts returned safely to Earth on November 4, 2024, after spending a record-breaking time in orbit. Their mission has been hailed as a milestone in China's space exploration history, inspiring future generations of scientists and explorers.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
