China has celebrated the accomplishments of the Shenzhou-18 mission astronauts by awarding them prestigious medals for their exceptional contributions to the nation's space endeavors. On Thursday, the trio—Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu—received honors recognizing their dedication and achievements during their historic mission.
Ye Guangfu was bestowed with a second-class aerospace achievement medal, while Li Cong and Li Guangsu were each honored with third-class aerospace achievement medals and the esteemed title of \"Heroic Astronaut.\" Ye, a seasoned astronaut, had previously been awarded the \"Heroic Astronaut\" title in 2022.
The decision to honor the astronauts was made by the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission, acknowledging their significant contributions to China's burgeoning space program.
The Shenzhou-18 crewed spaceship was launched on April 25, 2024, marking a significant milestone in China's space exploration efforts. For mission commander Ye Guangfu, this was his second journey to China's space station. During this mission, he spent approximately six months in orbit, adding to his prior 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 cumulatively.
For Li Cong and Li Guangsu, Shenzhou-18 marked their inaugural spaceflight. Li Cong, the youngest member of the crew, successfully completed all assigned tasks, demonstrating exceptional skill and dedication. Li Guangsu made notable contributions by installing the first space debris protection device on the space station during his first spacewalk, enhancing the safety and longevity of the orbital outpost.
Throughout their 192-day mission, the longest for a Chinese crew to date, the astronauts conducted two extravehicular activities and undertook nearly 100 space science experiments and in-orbit application payload tests. Their efforts have advanced China's scientific knowledge and technological capabilities in space.
The Shenzhou-18 crew returned to Earth on November 4, 2024, after setting a new national record for the longest manned space mission. Their successful mission represents a significant step forward in China's ambitious plans for space exploration and the utilization of their space station.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
