China has honored the crew members of its Shenzhou-18 mission with prestigious medals, recognizing their significant contributions to the nation's space endeavors.
On Thursday, the three astronauts—Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu—received awards for their outstanding service. Ye Guangfu was presented with a second-class aerospace achievement medal, while Li Cong and Li Guangsu were each awarded third-class aerospace achievement medals and the honorary title of \"Heroic Astronaut.\" Ye, a seasoned astronaut, had previously been honored with the \"Heroic Astronaut\" title in 2022.
The decision to confer these awards was made by the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission, underscoring the importance of their achievements to the country's space ambitions.
Launched on April 25, 2024, the Shenzhou-18 crewed spaceship marked Ye Guangfu's second journey to China's space station. During this mission, he spent approximately six months in orbit, adding to his previous six-month stay during the Shenzhou-13 mission. With over a year accumulated in space, Ye has become the first astronaut from China to achieve this milestone.
For Li Cong and Li Guangsu, Shenzhou-18 represented their inaugural spaceflight. Li Cong, the youngest member of the crew, successfully completed all assigned tasks, showcasing skill and dedication. Li Guangsu made his mark by installing the first space debris protection device on the space station during his maiden spacewalk.
Throughout their mission, the trio conducted two extravehicular activities and undertook nearly 100 space science experiments and in-orbit application payload tests. Their work has contributed significantly to China's growing body of space research and exploratory capabilities.
After spending a record-breaking 192 days in orbit, the Shenzhou-18 astronauts safely returned to Earth on November 4, 2024. Their extended mission not only set new records for China's space program but also advanced the nation's pursuit of long-duration human spaceflight and exploration.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
