China has honored the three astronauts of its Shenzhou-18 mission with prestigious medals in recognition of their significant contributions to the nation's space endeavors. On Thursday, Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu were awarded medals by the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission.
Ye Guangfu received a second-class aerospace achievement medal, marking his continued excellence in China's space program. Ye, a veteran astronaut, was previously honored with the title of \"Heroic Astronaut\" in 2022.
Li Cong and Li Guangsu were each awarded third-class aerospace achievement medals and the honorary title of \"Heroic Astronaut.\" For both Li Cong and Li Guangsu, the Shenzhou-18 mission was their first journey into space, making their accomplishments particularly noteworthy.
Launched on April 25, 2024, the Shenzhou-18 mission was a milestone for China's space station endeavors. Commander Ye Guangfu embarked on his second mission to the space station, where he lived for approximately six months. This mission brought Ye's total time in orbit to over a year, making him China's first astronaut to achieve this feat.
During the mission, Li Cong, the youngest member of the crew, successfully completed all assigned tasks, showcasing remarkable proficiency and dedication. Li Guangsu made significant contributions by successfully installing the first space debris protection device on the space station during his inaugural 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 advanced China's capabilities in space exploration and contributed valuable data to the scientific community.
The astronaut trio returned to Earth on November 4, 2024, setting a new record for mission duration in space for China's crewed missions.
China's recognition of the Shenzhou-18 astronauts underscores the nation's commitment to advancing its space program and honors the dedication and achievements of those who contribute to its success.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
