China has honored the three astronauts of its Shenzhou-18 mission with prestigious medals for their outstanding contributions to the nation's space endeavors. Crew commander Ye Guangfu, along with astronauts Li Cong and Li Guangsu, received the awards on Thursday, recognizing their achievements during the record-breaking mission.
Ye Guangfu was awarded a second-class aerospace achievement medal, adding to his previous honorary title of \"Heroic Astronaut\" received in 2022. Li Cong and Li Guangsu were each bestowed third-class aerospace achievement medals and the honorary title of \"Heroic Astronaut.\"
The commendations were conferred by the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission, highlighting the nation's commitment to advancing its space program.
The Shenzhou-18 crewed spacecraft was launched on April 25, 2024, marking Ye's second journey to China's space station. During this mission, Ye became the first Chinese astronaut to have spent over a year in orbit, following his previous six-month stay during the Shenzhou-13 mission.
For Li Cong and Li Guangsu, Shenzhou-18 represented their inaugural spaceflight. Li Cong, the youngest member of the crew, excelled in completing all assigned tasks, while Li Guangsu made significant strides by successfully installing the first space debris protection device on the space station 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 return to Earth on November 4, 2024, set a new record for the longest stay in orbit by Chinese astronauts.
The successful mission of Shenzhou-18 underscores China's rapidly advancing capabilities in space exploration and its dedication to scientific progress. The achievements of Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu serve as an inspiration for future generations and contribute significantly to humanity's understanding of space.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
