Taikonauts on China’s Shenzhou-13 Complete Second Extravehicular Mission
Taikonauts on China’s Shenzhou-13 space mission have completed second extravehicular activities (EVAs) and returned to the space station core module, named Tianhe, the China Manned Space Agency said in the early hours of Monday morning.
As planned, astronauts Zhai Zhigang and Ye Guangfu conducted EVAs, with astronaut Wang Yaping staying inside to support her crewmates in completing the operations.
This was the fourth time that the taikonauts conducted EVAs during the construction of the country’s space station and the second by the Shenzhou-13 crew. They completed tasks such as lifting a panoramic camera and testing goods transport. The EVAs further tested the function and performance of the core module airlock cabin, extravehicular suit and mechanical arm, and assessed technologies related to EVAs, as well as regarding the coordination of taikonauts inside and outside the space station, and coordination between space and Earth.
According to CCTV’s report, the CMSA noted that extravehicular operations are becoming the normal work of the space station flight missions. Chinese taikonauts will carry out more EVAs, that are also more complex, to provide strong support for the successful completion of construction projects and the stable operation of the space station.
The Shenzhou-13 crew will continue their in-orbit work to welcome the coming new year. This will also be the first time that Chinese taikonauts welcome a new year in space, the CMSA added.
