China has honored the three astronauts of the Shenzhou-18 mission with prestigious medals for their remarkable contributions to the nation's space endeavors. The awards were presented on Thursday to Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu, recognizing their dedication and achievements during the historic mission.
Ye Guangfu received a second-class aerospace achievement medal, while Li Cong and Li Guangsu were awarded third-class aerospace achievement medals and the honorary title of \"Heroic Astronaut.\" Ye, a veteran astronaut, had previously been honored with the \"Heroic Astronaut\" title in 2022.
The decision to bestow these honors was made by the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission, underscoring the significant impact of the astronauts' work on China's rapidly advancing space program.
The Shenzhou-18 crewed spaceship was launched on April 25, 2024, marking a significant milestone in China's space exploration efforts. Commanded by Ye Guangfu, it was his second journey to China's space station. Over the course of approximately six months, he lived and worked aboard the station, furthering his record as the country's first astronaut to have spent over a year in orbit, including his previous six-month stay during the Shenzhou-13 mission.
For Li Cong and Li Guangsu, Shenzhou-18 represented their maiden voyage into space. Li Cong, the youngest member of the crew, successfully completed all assigned tasks, demonstrating exceptional skill and commitment. Li Guangsu made history by installing the first space debris protection device on the space station during his inaugural spacewalk.
Throughout their mission, the trio conducted two extravehicular activities and carried out nearly 100 space science experiments and in-orbit application payload tests. Their work has significantly contributed to scientific understanding and the development of new technologies.
After a record-breaking 192 days in orbit, the astronauts safely returned to Earth on November 4, 2024. Their mission not only set new duration records but also showcased China's growing capabilities in long-duration human spaceflight.
The honors bestowed upon Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu reflect China's commitment to advancing human space exploration and its recognition of the individuals who propel the nation's space ambitions forward.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
