In a pioneering feat, two Chinese astronauts on the Shenzhou-19 mission, Cai Xuzhe and Song Lingdong, completed a historic nine-hour spacewalk this past week, according to China's Manned Space Agency. This remarkable duration surpasses the prior record of eight hours and 56 minutes, held by American astronauts since 2001, as China continues to assert its ambitions in space exploration.
Chinese Astronauts Set New Spacewalk Record
Chinese Astronauts Set New Spacewalk Record
China claims its astronauts spent a record-breaking nine hours outside the Tiangong Space Station, narrowly surpassing the previous American record.
The astronauts embarked on this journey in late October as part of a comprehensive mission aimed at constructing and maintaining the Tiangong Space Station. During their spacewalk, which they termed "extravehicular activities," the astronauts made vital installations to safeguard the station from potential debris and conducted thorough inspections of equipment on the station's exterior. Notably, they were assisted by their colleague Wang Haoze, who remained inside the station to support their endeavors.
While the length of this spacewalk is indeed a milestone for Chinese space exploration, the Manned Space Agency refrained from immediately declaring it a world record, possibly awaiting formal international recognition. Notably, this ties into China's long-term goals, which include a future manned Moon mission.
The astronauts' journey into space contributes to a broader narrative of human exploration, with the first-ever spacewalk dating back to 1965. In those early days, a Soviet astronaut lasted just 16 minutes outside his spacecraft, whereas the first Chinese astronaut completed a spacewalk in 2008, for a mere 19 minutes.
During their six-month mission aboard the Tiangong, the crew will engage in various scientific experiments, including an intriguing project studying fruit flies to examine how microgravity and reduced magnetism influence their growth and behavior. This scientific endeavor is backed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and underscores the breadth of China’s space exploration goals.
As these developments unfold in space, the significance of each achievement symbolizes not only technological advancement but also China's growing stature within the global space community.
While the length of this spacewalk is indeed a milestone for Chinese space exploration, the Manned Space Agency refrained from immediately declaring it a world record, possibly awaiting formal international recognition. Notably, this ties into China's long-term goals, which include a future manned Moon mission.
The astronauts' journey into space contributes to a broader narrative of human exploration, with the first-ever spacewalk dating back to 1965. In those early days, a Soviet astronaut lasted just 16 minutes outside his spacecraft, whereas the first Chinese astronaut completed a spacewalk in 2008, for a mere 19 minutes.
During their six-month mission aboard the Tiangong, the crew will engage in various scientific experiments, including an intriguing project studying fruit flies to examine how microgravity and reduced magnetism influence their growth and behavior. This scientific endeavor is backed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and underscores the breadth of China’s space exploration goals.
As these developments unfold in space, the significance of each achievement symbolizes not only technological advancement but also China's growing stature within the global space community.
