In a ceremony held on Thursday, China honored the three astronauts of the Shenzhou-18 mission with prestigious medals for their significant contributions to the nation’s space endeavors.
Ye Guangfu was awarded a second-class aerospace achievement medal, acknowledging his exemplary service and experience as a veteran astronaut. His fellow crew members, Li Cong and Li Guangsu, received third-class aerospace achievement medals and were bestowed the honorary title of \"Heroic Astronaut.\" Ye had previously received the \"Heroic Astronaut\" title in 2022.
The awards were granted by the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission, highlighting the government's recognition of the astronauts' dedication and accomplishments.
Launched on April 25, 2024, the Shenzhou-18 crewed spaceship marked Ye's second journey to China's space station. During this mission, he spent approximately six months in orbit, adding to his previous six-month stay during the Shenzhou-13 mission. Ye has now become China's first astronaut to have lived in space for over a year cumulatively.
For Li Cong and Li Guangsu, Shenzhou-18 was their inaugural spaceflight mission. Li Cong, the youngest member of the crew, successfully completed all assigned tasks, demonstrating remarkable proficiency. Li Guangsu made significant contributions by installing the first space debris protection device on the space station during his first spacewalk.
Throughout their mission, 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 space exploration and provided valuable data for future missions.
After a record-breaking 192 days in orbit, the astronaut trio safely returned to Earth on November 4, 2024, setting a new endurance record for China's manned space missions.
The recognition of the Shenzhou-18 crew underscores China's commitment to advancing its space program and the vital role of its astronauts in achieving these ambitious goals.
