In a ceremony held on Thursday, China honored the three crew members of the Shenzhou-18 mission—Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu—for their outstanding contributions to the nation's space endeavors.
Ye Guangfu was awarded a second-class aerospace achievement medal, while Li Cong and Li Guangsu received third-class aerospace achievement medals and the honorary title of \"Heroic Astronaut.\" Ye, a veteran astronaut, had previously been honored with the title of \"Heroic Astronaut\" in 2022.
The awards were conferred by the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission, recognizing the astronauts' dedication and achievements during the historic mission.
Record-Breaking Mission
Launched on April 25, 2024, the Shenzhou-18 crewed spaceship marked a significant milestone in China's space exploration. Under the command of Ye Guangfu, the mission extended his cumulative time in orbit to over a year, making him the first Chinese astronaut to achieve this feat. Ye had previously spent six months aboard China's space station during the Shenzhou-13 mission.
For Li Cong and Li Guangsu, Shenzhou-18 was their inaugural spaceflight. Li Cong, the youngest member of the crew, excelled in all assigned tasks, while Li Guangsu made history by successfully installing the first space debris protection device on the space station during his first spacewalk.
Scientific Endeavors and Achievements
Throughout their 192-day mission—the longest duration in orbit for a Chinese crew—the astronauts conducted two extravehicular activities and nearly 100 space science experiments and in-orbit application payload tests. These experiments spanned various fields, contributing valuable data to scientific communities and advancing China's space capabilities.
The mission demonstrated China's growing expertise in long-duration spaceflight and complex space operations, reinforcing its status as a major player in international space exploration.
Triumphant Return
On November 4, 2024, the Shenzhou-18 crew safely returned to Earth, concluding their record-breaking mission. The successful completion of the mission and the astronauts' contributions were lauded by officials and citizens alike, as China continues to push the boundaries of space exploration.
Looking Ahead
With the achievements of the Shenzhou-18 mission, China reaffirms its commitment to advancing its space program. The honored astronauts serve as inspirations for future generations, embodying the spirit of exploration and innovation that drives the nation's ambitions beyond Earth.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
