Reaching for the stars and bringing home the medals! 🌟 China's Shenzhou-18 astronaut trio—Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu—have been honored for their out-of-this-world achievements.
Commander Ye Guangfu snagged a second-class aerospace achievement medal, while his teammates Li Cong and Li Guangsu were awarded third-class medals and the esteemed title of \"Heroic Astronaut.\" Talk about leveling up! 🎖️
The honors were bestowed by the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission, recognizing the crew's stellar contributions to China's space journey. 🚀
Launched on April 25, 2024, Shenzhou-18 marked Ye's second space adventure. He spent approximately six months aboard China's space station, adding up to over a year in orbit when combined with his Shenzhou-13 mission. That's some serious frequent flyer miles! 🛰️
For Li Cong and Li Guangsu, Shenzhou-18 was their debut in space. Li Cong, the youngest astronaut on board, crushed all his tasks, while Li Guangsu didn’t miss a beat during his first spacewalk, even installing the station's first space debris protection device. Way to make a first impression! ✨
During their 192-day mission—a new record—the trio conducted two spacewalks and nearly 100 scientific experiments and tests. From pioneering research to space selfies (probably!), they kept busy up there! 🧪👨🚀
The astronauts returned to Earth on November 4, 2024, after their epic journey. Their dedication and achievements continue to inspire young explorers everywhere. Who's ready to reach for the stars next? 🚀🌌
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
