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NEW DELHI: Chinese astronauts on the Tiangong space station have successfully completed a record-breaking spacewalk, lasting nearly eight hours, to enhance the station’s defenses against space debris, state media reported on Wednesday.
Astronauts Jing Haipeng and Zhu Yangzhu carried out the extravehicular activity (EVA) on Tuesday, surpassing the previous duration record for Chinese spacewalks.The mission involved installing additional equipment and conducting maintenance to improve the station’s ability to withstand impacts from orbital debris, a South China Morning Post report said.
“The spacewalk is a major milestone for China’s manned space program, demonstrating our ability to perform long-duration extravehicular activities,” the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said in a statement.
The spacewalk began at 8:30 a.m. Beijing time and concluded at 4:20pm, making it the longest EVA performed by Chinese astronauts since the country’s first manned space mission in 2008. The astronauts successfully installed a debris shield and other protective measures to enhance the station’s safety.
“Protecting the space station from debris is a critical task as the amount of space junk increases,” CMSA noted. “The safety and sustainability of space operations are of utmost importance.”
China has been expanding its space program rapidly, with the Tiangong space station being a central element. The station, which began assembly in 2021, is expected to be fully operational by 2023 and serve as a hub for scientific research and international cooperation.
Astronaut Jing Haipeng, who has participated in multiple space missions, expressed pride in their achievement. “The successful completion of this spacewalk marks a new height for our space program and ensures the continued safety and functionality of the Tiangong station,” Jing said.
Zhu Yangzhu, who participated in his first spacewalk, highlighted the importance of teamwork and meticulous planning. “Every step of the mission was carefully planned and executed. This experience has strengthened our confidence in handling complex space operations,” Zhu said.
The CMSA has scheduled several more spacewalks for the current crew aboard Tiangong as part of ongoing efforts to maintain and upgrade the station. The agency emphasized the importance of these activities in ensuring the long-term viability of the space station amid the increasing threat of space debris.
As China continues to make strides in its space endeavors, the successful spacewalk is seen as a testament to the nation’s growing capabilities and ambitions in space exploration. The Tiangong space station is set to play a pivotal role in advancing scientific knowledge and fostering international partnerships in space.
Astronauts Jing Haipeng and Zhu Yangzhu carried out the extravehicular activity (EVA) on Tuesday, surpassing the previous duration record for Chinese spacewalks.The mission involved installing additional equipment and conducting maintenance to improve the station’s ability to withstand impacts from orbital debris, a South China Morning Post report said.
“The spacewalk is a major milestone for China’s manned space program, demonstrating our ability to perform long-duration extravehicular activities,” the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said in a statement.
The spacewalk began at 8:30 a.m. Beijing time and concluded at 4:20pm, making it the longest EVA performed by Chinese astronauts since the country’s first manned space mission in 2008. The astronauts successfully installed a debris shield and other protective measures to enhance the station’s safety.
“Protecting the space station from debris is a critical task as the amount of space junk increases,” CMSA noted. “The safety and sustainability of space operations are of utmost importance.”
China has been expanding its space program rapidly, with the Tiangong space station being a central element. The station, which began assembly in 2021, is expected to be fully operational by 2023 and serve as a hub for scientific research and international cooperation.
Astronaut Jing Haipeng, who has participated in multiple space missions, expressed pride in their achievement. “The successful completion of this spacewalk marks a new height for our space program and ensures the continued safety and functionality of the Tiangong station,” Jing said.
Zhu Yangzhu, who participated in his first spacewalk, highlighted the importance of teamwork and meticulous planning. “Every step of the mission was carefully planned and executed. This experience has strengthened our confidence in handling complex space operations,” Zhu said.
The CMSA has scheduled several more spacewalks for the current crew aboard Tiangong as part of ongoing efforts to maintain and upgrade the station. The agency emphasized the importance of these activities in ensuring the long-term viability of the space station amid the increasing threat of space debris.
As China continues to make strides in its space endeavors, the successful spacewalk is seen as a testament to the nation’s growing capabilities and ambitions in space exploration. The Tiangong space station is set to play a pivotal role in advancing scientific knowledge and fostering international partnerships in space.
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