In a ceremony held on Friday, China honored the trio of astronauts from the Shenzhou-17 crewed mission with prestigious medals, recognizing their extraordinary contributions to the nation’s space endeavors. The awards were presented by the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission.
Commander Tang Hongbo received a second-class aerospace achievement medal. Reflecting on his second journey to the China Space Station, Tang expressed his honor in witnessing and participating in the remarkable advancements of the country’s manned spaceflights. “Being part of this mission has been a profound privilege,” he stated during a recent press conference.
His crewmates, Tang Shengjie and Jiang Xinlin, were each awarded third-class medals along with the honorary title of “heroic astronauts.” At 34, Tang Shengjie became the youngest astronaut to enter China’s space station, even celebrating his birthday during the mission. “This experience has been the pinnacle of my career and a dream come true,” he shared.
Jiang Xinlin played a critical role as the chief operator for extravehicular maintenance activities. His successful execution of this task was crucial to the mission’s overall success. “The teamwork and dedication of our crew made every challenge surmountable,” Jiang commented.
The Shenzhou-17 manned spaceship was launched on October 26, 2023. After a record-breaking 187 days in orbit—surpassing the duration of all previous Chinese crews—the trio returned to Earth on April 30 this year. During their mission, they conducted two extravehicular activities and carried out approximately 100 space application experiments and tests, contributing valuable data to China’s growing body of space research.
The success of the Shenzhou-17 mission signifies a major milestone in China’s ambitious space exploration agenda, reflecting the nation’s rapid progress and dedication to advancing human spaceflight. The honored astronauts’ achievements not only bolster national pride but also inspire future generations to reach for the stars.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
