China has honored the three astronauts of the Shenzhou-18 mission with prestigious medals for their outstanding contributions to the nation's space endeavors.
On Thursday, the crew members Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu were recognized for their remarkable achievements during their record-breaking mission aboard China's space station. Ye Guangfu received a second-class aerospace achievement medal, while Li Cong and Li Guangsu were bestowed with third-class aerospace achievement medals and the honorary title of \"Heroic Astronaut.\" Ye, a veteran astronaut, had previously been awarded the \"Heroic Astronaut\" title in 2022.
The awards were decided by the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission, underscoring the national significance of their accomplishments.
Launched on April 25, 2024, the Shenzhou-18 crewed spaceship marked Ye Guangfu's second journey to the Chinese space station. As the mission commander, Ye led the team during their six-month stay in orbit. With this mission, he became China's first astronaut to have lived in space for over a year, having previously spent six months on the Shenzhou-13 mission.
For Li Cong and Li Guangsu, Shenzhou-18 was their inaugural spaceflight. Li Cong, the youngest member of the crew, successfully completed all assigned tasks, showcasing exceptional skill and dedication. Meanwhile, Li Guangsu made history 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 carried out nearly 100 space science experiments and in-orbit application payload tests. Their work has significantly advanced China's space exploration capabilities and contributed valuable data to the global scientific community.
After spending a record-breaking 192 days in orbit, the Shenzhou-18 astronauts safely returned to Earth on November 4, 2024. Their mission not only set new endurance records but also demonstrated China's growing prowess in long-duration spaceflight and commitment to peaceful space exploration.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
