In a historic achievement for China’s space program, the Shenzhou-18 crew aboard the nation’s orbiting space station successfully completed their first extravehicular activity (EVA) at 6:58 p.m. on Tuesday. This mission set a new record for the longest single spacewalk by Chinese astronauts, lasting approximately 8.5 hours, according to the China Manned Space Agency.
The taikonauts—Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu—worked collaboratively on critical tasks during the spacewalk. They installed space debris protection devices and conducted thorough inspections of the station’s extravehicular equipment and facilities, ensuring the safety and functionality of the orbital laboratory.
With the coordinated support of the space station’s robotic arm and ground-based personnel, the crew’s efforts highlight the advanced capabilities of China’s manned spaceflight technology. Ye and Li Guangsu, the two astronauts assigned to the spacewalk duties, have since returned safely to the Wentian laboratory module, while Li Cong provided vital support from within the station.
This accomplishment not only signifies a significant milestone for China’s growing presence in space but also contributes valuable experience for future long-duration missions. The successful completion of such a lengthy EVA demonstrates the taikonauts’ resilience and the robustness of China’s space station systems.
The Shenzhou-18 mission marks another step forward in China’s ambitious plans for space exploration, including expanding scientific research and fostering international cooperation in space endeavors.
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China's Shenzhou-18 crew completes first spacewalk, setting new record
cgtn.com
