In a ceremony held on Thursday, China honored the three astronauts of the Shenzhou-18 mission—Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu—for their outstanding contributions to the nation's space endeavors. Ye Guangfu was awarded a second-class aerospace achievement medal, while Li Cong and Li Guangsu received third-class aerospace achievement medals and the esteemed honorary title of \"Heroic Astronaut.\" Ye, a veteran astronaut, had previously been bestowed with the \"Heroic Astronaut\" title in 2022.
The accolades were conferred by the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission, recognizing the trio's exceptional performance during the Shenzhou-18 mission.
China launched the Shenzhou-18 crewed spacecraft on April 25, 2024, marking a significant milestone in the nation's ambitious space exploration program. The mission was Commander Ye Guangfu's second journey to the Chinese space station. Over the course of approximately six months, he further cemented his legacy by becoming China's first astronaut to have accumulated over a year living in orbit, following his previous six-month stay during the Shenzhou-13 mission.
For Li Cong and Li Guangsu, Shenzhou-18 represented their inaugural voyage into space. Li Cong, the youngest member of the crew, excelled in completing all assigned tasks with precision and dedication. Li Guangsu made history by successfully installing the first space debris protection device on the space station during his maiden spacewalk, showcasing China's advancements in spacecraft safety and sustainability.
Throughout their 192 days in orbit—a new record for China's space missions—the Shenzhou-18 crew conducted two extravehicular activities and undertook nearly 100 space science experiments and in-orbit application payload tests. Their work has significantly contributed to the development of space science and technology, with potential applications that could benefit multiple sectors on Earth.
The mission concluded with the astronauts' safe return to Earth on November 4, 2024. Their accomplishments not only demonstrate China's growing prowess in space exploration but also inspire a new generation interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.
The successful completion of the Shenzhou-18 mission and the recognition of its crew underscore China's commitment to peaceful space exploration and international collaboration. As China's space program continues to evolve, the achievements of astronauts like Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu pave the way for future missions that could further humanity's understanding of space.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
