China has bestowed prestigious honors upon the three astronauts of the Shenzhou-18 mission for their exceptional contributions to the nation's space endeavors. On Thursday, Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu received medals recognizing their achievements during a ceremony attended by high-ranking officials.
Ye Guangfu, a veteran astronaut, was awarded a second-class aerospace achievement medal. Already recognized as a \"Heroic Astronaut\" in 2022, this marks another milestone in Ye's illustrious career. His leadership as the mission commander played a pivotal role in the success of the Shenzhou-18 mission.
Li Cong and Li Guangsu, both embarking on their maiden space voyage with Shenzhou-18, were honored with third-class aerospace achievement medals and the honorary title of \"Heroic Astronaut.\" Li Cong, the youngest member of the crew, demonstrated remarkable skill by completing all assigned tasks with distinction. Meanwhile, Li Guangsu made a significant contribution by successfully installing the first space debris protection device on the space station during his first spacewalk.
The awards were conferred by the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission, reflecting the nation's commitment to advancing its space exploration efforts.
Launched on April 25, 2024, the Shenzhou-18 mission marked a significant chapter in China's space program. The crew spent a record-breaking 192 days in orbit aboard China's space station. During their mission, they conducted two extravehicular activities and carried out nearly 100 space science experiments and in-orbit application payload tests, contributing valuable research to various scientific fields.
Ye Guangfu's second journey to the space station made him the first Chinese astronaut to have lived in orbit for over a year, solidifying his place in the annals of China's space history.
The successful completion of the Shenzhou-18 mission underscores China's growing capabilities in space exploration and its commitment to peaceful utilization of outer space. The achievements of Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu serve as an inspiration to aspiring astronauts and highlight the progress of China's ambitious space program.
The crew returned safely to Earth on November 4, 2024, bringing back invaluable data and experiences that will inform future missions.
As China continues to invest in its space program, the contributions of dedicated astronauts like Ye, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu pave the way for new discoveries and advancements, not only for China but for the global scientific community.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com