China has honored the three astronauts of its Shenzhou-18 mission with prestigious medals, recognizing their remarkable contributions to the nation's space endeavors. The awards were presented on Thursday by the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission.
Ye Guangfu received a second-class aerospace achievement medal, while Li Cong and Li Guangsu were each awarded third-class aerospace achievement medals and the honorary title of \"Heroic Astronaut.\" Ye, a seasoned astronaut, had previously been honored with the \"Heroic Astronaut\" title in 2022.
The Shenzhou-18 crewed spaceship was launched on April 25, 2024, marking Ye Guangfu's second journey to China's space station. During the mission, he spent approximately six months in orbit, adding to his previous six-month stay during the Shenzhou-13 mission. This accomplishment makes Ye the first Chinese astronaut to have lived in space for over a year.
For Li Cong and Li Guangsu, Shenzhou-18 was their inaugural spaceflight mission. Li Cong, the youngest member of the crew, successfully completed all his assigned tasks. Li Guangsu made notable contributions by installing the first space debris protection device on the space station during his first spacewalk.
Throughout their 192-day mission, the Shenzhou-18 crew conducted two extravehicular activities and carried out nearly 100 space science experiments and in-orbit application payload tests. Their efforts have significantly advanced China's space exploration and research capabilities.
The astronaut trio safely returned to Earth on November 4, 2024, after spending a record-breaking time in orbit. Their achievements have been celebrated nationwide, inspiring a new generation of space enthusiasts and marking a milestone in China's manned space program.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
