China has honored the three astronauts of the Shenzhou-18 mission with medals for their outstanding contributions to the country's space endeavors. On Thursday, Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu received accolades recognizing their dedication and achievements during the landmark mission.
Ye Guangfu, a veteran astronaut and the mission commander, was awarded a second-class aerospace achievement medal. Ye had previously received the honorary title of \"Heroic Astronaut\" in 2022. This mission marked his second journey to China's space station, making him the first astronaut from China to have spent over a year in orbit, following his six-month stay during the Shenzhou-13 mission.
Li Cong and Li Guangsu, both on their first spaceflight mission, were each honored with third-class aerospace achievement medals and the honorary title of \"Heroic Astronaut.\" Li Cong, the youngest member of the crew, successfully completed all assigned tasks, while Li Guangsu made history by installing the first space debris protection device on the space station during his inaugural spacewalk.
The medals were conferred by the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission, highlighting the national significance of their accomplishments.
Launched on April 25, 2024, the Shenzhou-18 spacecraft carried the trio to China's space station for a mission lasting 192 days, setting a new record for the longest stay in orbit by Chinese astronauts. During their mission, they conducted two extravehicular activities and performed nearly 100 space science experiments and in-orbit application payload tests.
The astronauts safely returned to Earth on November 4, 2024, marking the successful completion of a mission that has furthered China's advancements in space exploration.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
