On Thursday, China honored the three astronauts of the Shenzhou-18 mission with prestigious medals, recognizing their outstanding contributions to the nation's space endeavors.
Ye Guangfu, the mission's commander and a seasoned astronaut, received a second-class aerospace achievement medal. His crewmates, Li Cong and Li Guangsu, were each awarded third-class aerospace achievement medals along with the honorary title of \"Heroic Astronaut.\" Ye had previously been bestowed with the \"Heroic Astronaut\" title in 2022.
The awards were conferred by the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission, highlighting the importance of their achievements in advancing China's space exploration efforts.
The Shenzhou-18 spacecraft was launched on April 25, 2024, marking Ye Guangfu'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—a first for any Chinese astronaut.
For Li Cong and Li Guangsu, Shenzhou-18 represented their inaugural spaceflight mission. Li Cong, the youngest member of the crew, performed all assigned tasks with excellence. Meanwhile, Li Guangsu made history by installing the first space debris protection device on the space station during his maiden spacewalk.
Throughout their 192-day mission, which set a new record for the longest stay in orbit by Chinese astronauts, the trio conducted two extravehicular activities and carried out nearly 100 space science experiments and in-orbit application tests. Their work has significantly contributed to scientific research and the development of space technology.
The Shenzhou-18 crew safely returned to Earth on November 4, 2024, celebrated for their dedication and the profound impact of their mission on China's space exploration ambitions.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
