Go for a ride with Shenzhou 18

The rocket roared in the desert, and Shenzhou flew into space again! The crew of Shenzhou 18 entered the Tiangong space station, and a new space exploration journey of China's manned spaceflight kicked off... They will complete a series of arduous and arduous tasks in accordance with the overall plan for manned spaceflight, including: regular "physical examinations" and "maintenance" of the space station on orbit, and the implementation of more than 90 space experiments (tests) on orbit. During the six-month stay, they will also perform two spacewalks and six cargo payload extravehicular missions.

Astronaut Li Cong of Shenzhou 18 works outside the space station complex

Two "space walks" of Shenzhou 18

On May 28, 2024, the three astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu of the Shenzhou 18 crew showed excellent teamwork and successfully carried out their first "space exploration" mission, completing the installation of the cable protection device outside the Mengtian laboratory module. This extravehicular activity lasted about 8.5 hours. It was not only the 15th "space show" of Chinese astronauts in the space station mission, but also broke the record of the single extravehicular time of Chinese astronauts.

In the subsequent second extravehicular activity, the astronauts of the Shenzhou 18 crew also performed well, and successfully completed the 16th "space show" in the space station phase after about 6.5 hours. The main task this time was to install protective devices on the extravehicular cables and pipelines of the Wentian experimental module and the Tianhe core module, so as to enhance the long-term safe and stable operation capability of the space station.

Now, let's review the tacit cooperation of the three astronauts! At 16:19 on July 3, 2024, astronaut Li Cong opened the hatch of the Wentian laboratory module, marking his first attempt at a personal spacewalk. Li Cong boarded the robotic arm, disassembled the fixture, and transferred it to the equipment connection point with the help of the robotic arm. Immediately afterwards, astronaut Ye Guangfu passed the required operating equipment and devices out of the cabin. At 17:41, astronaut Ye Guangfu successfully exited the cabin. Ye Guangfu climbed autonomously along the cabin wall to the operating point, and worked with Li Cong to install protective devices on the cables of the Wentian cabin and the pipelines of the Tianhe cabin respectively. During this process, astronaut Li Guangsu was responsible for monitoring the robotic arm and providing necessary auxiliary operations in the Tianhe core cabin. This extravehicular activity was to respond to the potential risk of space debris impact, and a series of protective measures were implemented. In the end, astronauts Ye Guangfu and Li Cong returned safely to the Wentian laboratory module, and the extravehicular activity was a complete success.

The picture of Shenzhou 18 astronaut Li Cong leaving the cabin

Shenzhou 18 astronaut Li Cong works outside the cabin

16 wonderful extravehicular activities of Chinese astronauts

Since July 4, 2021, when Chinese astronauts Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo completed their first spacewalk in the space station, the "spacewalk" mission of Chinese astronauts has been carried out at a high frequency as planned. In less than three years, the number of spacewalks by Chinese astronauts has reached 16. A total of 17 astronauts/32 people have carried out spacewalks.

Each of these spacewalks brings something new to the table. Let's count down the surprises!

The first thing to talk about is the Shenzhou XII manned flight mission. As the first flight in the space station construction phase, it plays a connecting role in the entire space station mission. During the flight mission, the Shenzhou XII crew successfully completed two extravehicular activities. This was not only the first spacewalk by Chinese astronauts since the Shenzhou VII mission in 2008, but also another important demonstration of the space operation capabilities of Chinese astronauts. Immediately afterwards, the Shenzhou XIII manned flight was also unique. A Chinese female astronaut carried out an extravehicular activity for the first time! Shenzhou XIV was also wonderful. During the extravehicular activity, the astronauts realized the first extravehicular activity from the airlock of the Wentian Experimental Module, and the second extravehicular activity was only 16 days away from the last extravehicular activity, which is the crew with the shortest time interval between extravehicular activities in the current space station phase. The following Shenzhou XV manned flight was also amazing, because they successfully completed four extravehicular activities, setting a record for extravehicular activities of a single Chinese astronaut crew. Jing Haipeng, an astronaut who flew into space four times, also successfully completed an extravehicular activity during the Shenzhou XVI manned flight mission, realizing a magical "space walk" journey. After two EVAs, the astronauts of Shenzhou 17 successfully repaired the flexible solar wing assembly that had degraded due to space debris, completing the first EVA maintenance mission for Chinese astronauts! So far, the crew of Shenzhou 18, which is currently working, has also set a single EVA time record (8.5 hours) during its first EVA.

Looking back at these 16 EVAs, each one was successfully completed and brought new highlights, new achievements and new breakthroughs. These achievements not only demonstrate the strong strength of China's aerospace technology, but also reflect the wisdom and strength of China's aerospace personnel.

The future is even more exciting as the scenery ahead is picturesque. Let us follow the pace of China's manned space exploration and look forward to and appreciate the more magical and wonderful vast sky!

The content is compiled from CCTV.com, Guangming.com, the official website of the China Manned Spaceflight Office, etc.

(Scientific review: Yin Rui, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Astronaut System of China's manned space program)