Two Chinese astronauts aboard the Tiangong space station achieved a groundbreaking milestone, completing the longest single spacewalk in history. Shenzhou-19 crew members Cai Xuzhe and Song Lingdong successfully conducted a nine-hour extravehicular activity (EVA), breaking the previous record of eight hours and 56 minutes set by American astronauts James Voss and Susan Helms in 2001.
A Historic Achievement
The record-breaking EVA took place at 9:57 p.m. Beijing time and was confirmed by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). During the operation, Cai and Song installed protective devices against space debris, conducted routine maintenance, and inspected extravehicular equipment. The mission required precision and coordination, supported by Tiangong’s robotic arm, ground control teams, and their crewmate Wang Haozhe, who remained inside the station.
CMSA declared the mission a “full success,” marking it as the 18th spacewalk performed by Chinese astronauts and the longest EVA in China’s space exploration history.
Veteran and Rising Star
For mission commander Cai Xuzhe, this milestone was another feather in his cap. Having completed two spacewalks during the Shenzhou-14 mission in 2022, he brought valuable experience to the team. In contrast, the mission was particularly significant for Song Lingdong, a former fighter pilot born in the 1990s. Song became the first Chinese astronaut of his generation to perform a spacewalk, showcasing the growing diversity and capability within China’s astronaut corps.
Footage broadcast from the Beijing Aerospace Control Centre showed Cai and Song tethered to the Tiangong space station with safety cables as they exited the Wentian lab module to complete their tasks. The astronauts relied on second-generation “Feitian” spacesuits, capable of supporting up to eight hours of external work, though the duo exceeded this limit during their groundbreaking operation.
A Legacy of Spacewalks
The Shenzhou-19 mission, launched on October 30, 2024, is the eighth crewed mission to Tiangong. The trio aboard the station arrived via the Long March 2F carrier rocket and have since embarked on a series of scientific experiments, technological tests, and payload deployment operations. Further spacewalks are planned as part of the mission’s objectives, which include advancing China’s technological and scientific capabilities in space.
This nine-hour EVA also represents a milestone in the evolution of China’s extravehicular activity capabilities. Earlier in 2024, Shenzhou-18 astronauts Ye Guangfu and Li Guangsu spent eight hours and 23 minutes outside Tiangong, previously the longest EVA by Chinese astronauts. These achievements highlight China’s growing expertise in long-duration space operations, an essential aspect of its ambitious space exploration agenda.
Breaking a Two-Decade-Old Record
The previous record for the longest spacewalk was held by NASA astronauts James Voss and Susan Helms, who spent eight hours and 56 minutes outside the space shuttle Discovery in 2001 during a mission to the International Space Station. With over 270 spacewalks conducted at the ISS since its inception, the Shenzhou-19 EVA underscores the increasing competition and collaboration in human spaceflight endeavors.
The Shenzhou-19 crew is scheduled to remain aboard Tiangong until late April or early May 2025, continuing their work on scientific research and technological innovations. Their achievements, including the record-breaking spacewalk, mark a significant chapter in China’s rapidly advancing space program.
Manbilas Singh is a talented writer and journalist who focuses on the finer details in every story and values integrity above everything. A self-proclaimed sleuth, he strives to expose the fine print behind seemingly mundane activities and aims to uncover the truth that is hidden from the general public. In his time away from work, he is a music aficionado and a nerd who revels in video & board games, books and Formula 1.
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