In a ceremony held on Thursday, China honored the three crew members of its Shenzhou-18 mission with prestigious medals for their contributions to the nation's space endeavors.
Ye Guangfu received a second-class aerospace achievement medal, adding to his accolades after being named a \"Heroic Astronaut\" in 2022. His fellow astronauts, Li Cong and Li Guangsu, were each awarded third-class aerospace achievement medals and the honorary title of \"Heroic Astronaut.\"
The awards were conferred by the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission, recognizing the astronauts' exceptional service and dedication.
Launched on April 25, 2024, the Shenzhou-18 spaceship marked Ye's second journey to China's space station. During this mission, he spent approximately six months aboard the station, bringing his total time in orbit to over a year—an unprecedented achievement for a Chinese astronaut. Ye previously spent six months in the space station during the Shenzhou-13 mission.
For Li Cong and Li Guangsu, Shenzhou-18 was their inaugural spaceflight. Li Cong, the youngest crew member, successfully completed all assigned tasks, while Li Guangsu made significant contributions by installing the first space debris protection device during his maiden 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 advanced China's capabilities in space exploration and technology.
The astronauts returned to Earth on November 4, 2024, setting a new national record for the longest time spent in orbit on a single mission.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
