The China Space Station (CSS) is reaching new heights with its latest achievement of 16 record-breaking spacewalks. On Wednesday, the Shenzhou-18 mission saw three taikonauts complete their second spacewalk, each lasting approximately 6.5 hours. This marks the 16th extravehicular activity (EVA) during the CSS's application and development phase.
The Shenzhou-18 crew member, Li Cong, donned a white spacesuit for his first EVA, captivating audiences worldwide with stunning photos against the backdrop of Earth. The China Manned Space Agency reported that 17 taikonauts have conducted spacewalks to date, highlighting the CSS’s rapid progress.
Over the past three years, China's seven crewed missions have set numerous spacewalk-related records. The Shenzhou-12 mission in July 2021 conducted the first CSS spacewalk, lasting seven hours. Before the CSS, China had only one spacewalk during the Shenzhou-7 mission in 2008.
The Shenzhou-13 mission made history with two spacewalks, including the first female Chinese spacewalker, Wang Yaping, known as the \"space teacher\" for her live video lecture to students during her mission. The Shenzhou-14 crew became the busiest space crew by completing three spacewalks, including the first to exit from the Wentian lab module and setting the record for the shortest duration between EVAs.
Most recently, the Shenzhou-15 mission performed four spacewalks, the most by a single crew in a domestic mission. Launched in November 2022, the all-male trio continues to push the boundaries of space exploration, solidifying China's position in the global space community.
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China Space Station sets milestones with 16 record-breaking spacewalks
cgtn.com
