China has honored the three crew members of its Shenzhou-18 mission—Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu—with prestigious medals for their outstanding contributions to the nation's space endeavors.
At a ceremony held on Thursday, Ye Guangfu was awarded the second-class aerospace achievement medal, while Li Cong and Li Guangsu received third-class aerospace achievement medals and were bestowed the honorary title of \"Heroic Astronaut.\" Ye, a seasoned astronaut, had previously received the \"Heroic Astronaut\" title in 2022.
The commendations were issued by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission, reflecting the nation's appreciation for the astronauts' dedication and accomplishments in advancing China's space exploration efforts.
Launched on April 25, 2024, the Shenzhou-18 mission marked Commander Ye Guangfu's second journey to China's space station. During this mission, he lived aboard the station for approximately six months. Combined with his previous six-month stay during the Shenzhou-13 mission, Ye became China's first astronaut to have lived in orbit for over a year.
For both Li Cong and Li Guangsu, the Shenzhou-18 mission was their inaugural spaceflight. Li Cong, the youngest crew member, successfully completed all assigned tasks, demonstrating exceptional skill and commitment. Li Guangsu made significant contributions by installing the first space debris protection device on the space station during his first spacewalk.
Throughout their 192 days in orbit, the Shenzhou-18 crew 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 space science capabilities and contributed to international knowledge of long-duration space missions.
The trio returned safely to Earth on November 4, 2024, setting a record for China's longest crewed space mission.
The achievements of the Shenzhou-18 astronauts symbolize China's growing prowess in space exploration and its commitment to advancing human understanding of space. Their dedication and accomplishments continue to inspire future generations of scientists and explorers.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
