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Shenzhou-19 crew completes second extravehicular activities, operating for 8.5 hours

CGTN

 , Updated 11:38, 21-Jan-2025
01:06

Members of the Shenzhou-19 crew aboard China's orbiting space station completed their mission's second series of extravehicular activities (EVAs) at 1:12 a.m. (Beijing Time) on Tuesday, according to the China Manned Space Agency. Astronauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze worked for 8.5 hours to complete multiple tasks under the assistance of the space station's robotic arm and the ground team.

An image from the panoramic camera of the Wentian lab module. /CMG
An image from the panoramic camera of the Wentian lab module. /CMG

An image from the panoramic camera of the Wentian lab module. /CMG

The primary objective of the EVA was to install protective structures for the station's power system cables, designed to mitigate the risk of damage from space debris collisions.

Cai and Song, the two crew members assigned to undertake spacewalk duties, have since returned to the Wentian lab module safely. During the crew's previous mission on December 17, 2024, Shenzhou-19 astronauts set a new world record for the longest spacewalk, with a duration of 9 hours, surpassing the previous record of 8 hours and 56 minutes held by NASA astronauts for over two decades.

Since the last EVA, the crew members have undertaken a series of tasks, including the inspection and maintenance of the space station's equipment, system-wide pressure emergency drills, and preparations for the second series of EVAs.

They have completed nearly half of their space journey and are scheduled to carry out a significant number of in-orbit scientific experiments and technological tests, the agency said. The crew will also welcome the upcoming Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese Lunar New Year.

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