In a significant ceremony on Thursday, the three astronauts of China's Shenzhou-18 mission—Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu—were honored with medals for their outstanding contributions to the nation's space endeavors.
Veteran astronaut Ye Guangfu received the second-class aerospace achievement medal, marking another milestone in his distinguished career. Ye was previously awarded the honorary title of \"Heroic Astronaut\" in 2022 after his successful mission aboard Shenzhou-13.
First-time astronauts Li Cong and Li Guangsu were each bestowed with third-class aerospace achievement medals and the honorary title of \"Heroic Astronaut.\" Li Cong, the youngest member of the crew, excelled in completing all assigned tasks, while Li Guangsu made history by successfully installing the first space debris protection device on the space station during his inaugural spacewalk.
The awards were conferred by the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission, recognizing the crew's exceptional performance during the Shenzhou-18 mission.
Launched on April 25, 2024, the Shenzhou-18 spacecraft carried the trio to China's space station, where they spent a record-breaking 192 days in orbit. Commander Ye Guangfu became the first Chinese astronaut to spend over a year in space, having previously completed a six-month mission on Shenzhou-13.
During their time aboard the space station, the astronauts conducted two extravehicular activities and undertook nearly 100 space science experiments and in-orbit payload tests, contributing valuable data to China's burgeoning space program.
The Shenzhou-18 mission concluded when the crew safely returned to Earth on November 4, 2024, marking a significant achievement in China's pursuit of space exploration.
The recognition of the Shenzhou-18 crew underscores China's commitment to advancing its space capabilities and acknowledges the dedication of the astronauts who are propelling the nation's ambitions beyond Earth's atmosphere.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
