The six-month mission of Shenzhou XVIII crew members, consisting of Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu, is coming to an end. Let's take a look back at some of the most memorable and lighthearted moments of their space journey so far.
From ground to space
Crew members of the Shenzhou XVIII mission Ye Guangfu (right), Li Cong (center) and Li Guangsu are seen at the see-off ceremony for the Shenzhou XVIII crewed space mission at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China on April 25, 2024. [Photo by Wang Jiangbo/For China Daily]
The Shenzhou XVIII manned spaceship, atop a Long March 2F carrier rocket, is launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China, April 25, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
The Shenzhou XVIII astronauts, Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu, were launched by a Long March 2F carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China on April 25. A see-off ceremony for three taikonauts was held at the launch center ahead of their departure.
Space get-togethers
The Shenzhou XVII crew welcome the Shenzhou XVIII crew into the Tiangong space station on April 26, 2024. [Screen capture from China Central Television]
The Shenzhou XVIII trio arrived at the Tiangong station on April 26 and were warmly greeted by their peers in the Shenzhou XVII flight. The two crews posed for a group photo. The Shenzhou XVII crew held a handover ceremony with the Shenzhou XVIII crew and transferred the keys of the country's space station to the latter on April 28.
The crew of Shenzhou XVIII and Shenzhou XIX pose for a photo inside the Tiangong space station on Oct 30, 2024. XU BU/FOR CHINA DAILY
The Shenzhou XVIII crew welcomed the Shenzhou XIX astronauts, the eighth group of inhabitants of the Chinese space station, on Oct 30. The six astronauts will work together for about five days, and the Shenzhou XVIII crew will depart for Earth on Nov 4.
Two spacewalks
This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on May 28, 2024, shows Shenzhou XVIII astronaut Ye Guangfu taking a photo of Li Guangsu (above) during extravehicular activities. [Photo/Xinhua]
The Shenzhou XVIII astronauts conducted their first spacewalk outside the Tiangong space station on May 28. Ye and Li Guangsu worked for about 8.5 hours to complete multiple tasks. The third crew member, Li Cong, stayed inside the Tiangong to provide support. This spacewalk set a new record for the longest single spacewalk by Chinese astronauts.
This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on July 3, 2024, shows Shenzhou VXIII astronaut Li Cong going out for extravehicular activities. [Photo/Xinhua]
The trio's second spacewalk, which lasted about 6.5 hours, was completed on July 3. It was the 16th extravehicular activity by Chinese astronauts during the construction and operation of the country's space station. Ye and Li Cong ventured outside of the space station to carry out the spacewalk duty and Li Guangsu provided assistance inside.
Space 'Games'
This combo photo of screenshots from China Central Television shows scenes at the space "Games".
On Aug 8, the Shenzhou XVIII astronauts organized their own sports event to celebrate China's National Fitness Day and cheer for athletes who were competing at the Paris Summer Olympics.
The space "Games" kicked off with a mock torch relay. Inside the space station, the astronauts also staged competitions including a men's single’s tableless tennis match and an individual medley event in a mock pool.
Ye Guangfu lifts his crewmates Li Guangsu and Li Cong inside the Tiangong space station. [Screen capture from China Central Television]
Many were amused by the zero-gravity weightlifting event. Ye pretended to exert great effort as he lifted his two crewmates, then he hung on with just one hand. But after he toweled the imaginary sweat and let go of the mock barbell, his crewmates remained afloat in their zero-gravity environment.
Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival in space
A mooncake floats away when the package is opened in the Tiangong space station. [Screen capture from China Central Television]
On Sept 17, which marked this year's Mid-Autumn Day, the Shenzhou XVIII crew members also held a feast to celebrate the traditional Chinese holiday.
The menu included spicy mutton, stewed beef with potatoes, braised pork chops, sticky rice cakes with water chestnuts, assorted vegetables, as well as the indispensable mooncakes, filled with lotus seed paste.
Since the space station orbits the Earth once every 90 minutes, the astronauts onboard can watch moonrise and moonset 16 times a day.
