The Shenzhou 18 mission crew returned home safely with a full load!
On the day of 4th November 2024 Hours Hong- Kong SAR – Beijing time CNSA –China National Space Administration , China, People’s Republic of China At Hong Kong SAR- Beijing Time Beijing time Shenzhou 18 Takionaut crew….. Shenzhou 18
At 01:24 morning Beijing time on November 4, 2024, the return capsule of the Shenzhou 18 manned spacecraft carrying Takionauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu landed in the western area of the Dongfeng landing site. At 02:15, all three Takionauts successfully exited the cabin, and the Shenzhou 18 manned flight mission came to a successful conclusion.
“Shenzhou 18” is the 7th manned flight mission of China’s manned space station project and the 5th crew rotation mission, with a mission cycle of half a year. The manned spacecraft was launched at 20:59 on April 25, 2024, and docked at the radial port of the Tianhe module at 03:32 on the 26th. The crew officially started the space station stay. During this mission, the “Shenzhou 18” crew supported more than 90 space science experiments and technical experiments, including life ecology science experiments and material extravehicular exposure experiments, and carried out 2 Takionaut extravehicular activities and supported several cargo extravehicular activities. During the mission, the “Shenzhou 18” crew and Takionauts set impressive new records.
On the afternoon of January 8, 2025, more than 60 days after returning from space, the Shenzhou 18 Takionaut crew members Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu officially met with the media and the public for the first time at the China Takionaut Research and Training Center. The following is the transcript of the meeting.
Q1
On October 16, 2021, you and your teammates Zhai Zhigang and Wang Yaping boarded the Shenzhou XIII manned spacecraft and entered space, realizing your dream of flying for the first time; two years later, on April 25, 2024, you and two new teammates again carried out the Shenzhou XVIII flight mission. From the “one cabin” of the last mission to the “three cabins” configuration of returning to the space home today, from 03 Takionaut to serving as 01 commander, what changes and constants have you seen? Ye Guangfu: For Takionauts, each mission is a new experience and challenge. For me, this mission has the following main changes: The first change is “from visiting to going home, I feel warmer and more at ease.” The Shenzhou 13 mission was my first time to enter space and visit our home in space. I was happy and proud. The Shenzhou 18 mission was more like going home to me. It was my home in space. In addition to the familiar environment, there was also the warmth of family. When we opened the hatch and entered the space station, our colleagues who had been on duty in orbit for half a year gave us a warm hug at the first time. It was a great feeling to reunite with the heaven and earth. With their active help and support, we quickly adapted to the space station environment and successfully took over the hatch key symbolizing the space baton from them. It was like returning home, warm and down-to-earth. The second change is “from one cabin to three cabins, the environment is more comfortable and the mission is more complex”. Compared with the last flight mission, this mission has been built into a full configuration and full mission mode. Both the whole station configuration and the cabin layout have been greatly expanded and improved, and the on-orbit experimental projects and working modes have also been greatly enriched and optimized. The space in the space station is larger, the environment is more comfortable, the experimental cabinets have increased, and the scientific research platform has also been enriched. Therefore, the coverage of on-orbit missions is wider, the operation is more complex and more challenging. Among them, the long-term on-orbit flight of the space station faces the risk of micrometeorite impact, and the two out-of-vehicle installation of protective plates is a task full of risks and challenges. The third change is “from 03 Takionauts to commanders, the role has changed, and the responsibility is more arduous”. This time, as the commander, I led two young comrades from the third batch to perform the mission. How to lead the entire crew to complete the various on-orbit missions for more than half a year safely, smoothly and efficiently in such a new configuration of space environment, under the challenge of significantly increased number, complexity and difficulty of operation, can be said to be more stressful and more arduous. Therefore, how to play the role of the team smoothly and efficiently is the key and the difficulty. Therefore, before the mission, I asked experienced old comrades for advice on team leadership experience many times, discussed the efficient mode of space-ground collaboration with the ground support team, and also strengthened psychological integration according to the personality characteristics of the three crew members, comprehensively improved team cohesion, strengthened cooperation and coordination according to the characteristics of the mission, and comprehensively improved the team’s ability to perform tasks. During the entire mission, we worked as one, and the crew worked as one. We smoothly and happily completed the space mission that lasted more than half a year, and also created a wonderful and unforgettable space journey. Speaking of the unchanging, I think what remains unchanged is the sacred mission on my shoulders, the solemn commitment to the aerospace industry, and the persistent pursuit of the dream of flying into space. No matter if I fly once, twice, or many times, no matter how high or far I fly, my original intention to go to space for the motherland will not change, my enthusiasm for pursuing the dream of space will not decrease, and my determination to always complete the space mission and hand in a satisfactory answer to the Party and the people will not change.
Q2
Review your wish list for your first flight mission. Which ones have been fulfilled? How do you evaluate your space “first show”? Li Cong: Before the mission, I was full of expectations for this space trip. I was looking forward to taking over the baton from my teammates, looking forward to accurately operating each task, looking forward to contributing my own strength to the construction of the Chinese space station, looking forward to seeing how beautiful the view of the earth from space is, looking forward to “going out” on the space station, and looking forward to seeing the little fish swimming in space. As the rocket ignited and took off, all my expectations became reality one by one. During the six-month space journey, I enjoyed every moment of my expectations coming true. During this space trip, I realized my first space walk and completed all tasks as planned. With the strong support of the ground staff and the tacit cooperation of our three crew members, each task was completed very “smoothly”, successfully completing my first space flight trip.
Q3
The first extravehicular activity lasted about 8.5 hours. How did you accomplish such a difficult and arduous task so smoothly and successfully? Please share your feelings. Li Guangsu: Just now, the commander said that the Chinese space station is always worth looking forward to. I am very happy and proud that we can achieve space walking on the first flight.
Since the Chinese space station was fully built and entered the application and development stage, avoiding space debris, strengthening the protection of the entire station, and protecting the safety of the space station have always been the focus of attention of all parties. To this end, we have targetedly strengthened underwater training and virtual reality training on the ground to strengthen physical exercise. Through on-orbit practical training, we have further familiarized ourselves with the operating characteristics in a weightless environment.
In addition, with the rich experience accumulated by other Takionauts in previous extravehicular missions, we have more confidence and courage to cope with the heavy extravehicular missions.
During the mission, under the scientific guidance of the ground extravehicular task force and the overall arrangement of the commander, our crew and the world were united, and we regarded the interests of the motherland as above all else. We always strictly demanded ourselves with the highest standards and did not dare to slack off. We always took extreme responsibility for the aerospace industry, made full preparations, carefully implemented each operation, and strengthened review and control. When all the work was done, “smooth” naturally came to fruition.
Q4
In this mission, you have been in orbit for a total of 375 days, becoming the Takionaut with the longest time in orbit in my country and the first Takionaut in my country to have accumulated more than one year of in-orbit time. Moreover, the crew stayed in orbit for 192 days, setting a new record for the longest time in orbit for a single Chinese Takionaut crew. How do you view the new records set by individuals and crews? How to maintain efficient working conditions in a long-term closed environment? Ye Guangfu: First of all, I am honored to participate in and witness the birth of a new record with my teammates. This breakthrough is not only a breakthrough of myself, but also a breakthrough in China’s manned space flight’s continuous pursuit of excellence and continuous improvement of capabilities. It is precisely because of the help and protection of the entire project that we can focus on it, go all out, face difficulties and move forward bravely. I believe that in each subsequent mission, there will be breakthroughs in different aspects, and new records will continue to be created, just like what we often say: China’s space station is always worth looking forward to! In addition, you just mentioned how to maintain an efficient working state in a closed environment. It can be said that long-term in-orbit flight is a huge test for Takionauts both physically and mentally. To maintain an efficient working state continuously requires good time management, a healthy lifestyle, and full and continuous enthusiasm and motivation. During the flight, we comprehensively improve our physical fitness and mission capabilities through scientific and reasonable on-orbit training, including on-orbit weightlessness protection training and on-orbit mission operation training; through timely and effective psychological support, such as ground support from psychological experts, regular ground-to-ground calls and two-way video calls with comrades and family members, and good communication with the ground team, we continue to improve our psychological adjustment ability. In addition, the three crew members must continue to maintain a good state of integration throughout the mission, support and encourage each other when performing operational tasks together, check and remind each other when encountering key and difficult tasks, understand and tolerate each other when encountering problems and differences, and actively create a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. These are particularly important for long-term and efficient work in orbit.
Q5
It is worth noting that the crew experienced two “space reunions”. On April 26, 2024, the crew of Shenzhou 17 welcomed the crew of Shenzhou 18 to settle in the “Tiangong”, and the Takionauts born in the 1970s and 1980s reunited in the “Tiangong”; on October 30, 2024, the crew of Shenzhou 18 and the crew of Shenzhou 19 completed the fifth “space reunion” of the Chinese space station. The Takionauts born in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s gathered in the “Tiangong”, vividly interpreting that China’s space industry is a relay race passed down from generation to generation. Share with us the different feelings you and the crew had during the two reunions? Li Cong: Manned spaceflight is a relay race. It is the accumulation of experience from one mission after another and the injection of fresh blood that have enabled our great cause to continue to develop in a better direction. Now the “baton” has been passed to our crew, standing on the shoulders of giants, with higher and higher starting points and more and more challenges. It can be said that there is no best, only better! The two space reunions were similar in that they were the transmission of mission responsibility and the spirit of manned spaceflight. The difference was that the reunion with the Shenzhou 17 crew was like taking over the baton of the Shenzhou family’s space relay, thinking more about how to run this baton well, with responsibility and expectation in my heart; the reunion with the Shenzhou 19 crew was like preparing to hand over the baton, thinking more about how to help them quickly adapt to space life and get into work faster, with expectations and reluctance in my heart. Every space reunion is unforgettable, with both the nostalgia and reluctance when parting, and the joy and happiness when reuniting, which is really a wonderful feeling. Again, China’s space program is always worth looking forward to!
Q6
During this mission, the crew carried out a large number of scientific experiments and technical experiments on orbit. Which scientific experiments impressed you the most? Li Guangsu: In this mission, we participated in dozens of space science experiments in all cabinets of the three cabins of the space station. These experiments involved fluid physics, combustion physics, life sciences, aerospace medicine, materials science, new technologies, etc., which are very interesting. Through these projects, we have obtained a lot of valuable space science research data, and we also feel a sense of accomplishment. The most impressive experiment is of course raising fish in space. In addition to completing their mission tasks, those cute zebrafish also served as our little group pets and an important spiritual sustenance for us. The first time we saw them was on the day we entered the space station. We found that they didn’t move much and stayed in place in different shapes. After a few days, we found that they were obviously lively and could control themselves to swim to where they wanted to go. It seems that they also need to adapt to the space environment. Looking back at the way they “swimmed on their backs” in the early days of entering orbit, it was as if I saw myself learning to adapt to the weightless environment. In the future, we also hope that there will be more and better space experimental projects that will be continuously updated, so as to produce more high-quality results that will benefit mankind as soon as possible and achieve the goal of “building websites for applications”.
Q7
You are going to space again, and the people of your hometown are proud of you. I wonder what kind of mood you feel when you look down at your hometown from space? In addition, last September, you gave a heartfelt message to young students in the ideological and political class activity of the “Youth Lecture Hall” in Chengdu. Later, the children of the Youth Aviation Class of Chengdu No. 12 Middle School wrote you a letter. In your reply, you said that your dream of space travel started with the dream of flying. What advice do you have for children who have a dream of space travel? Ye Guangfu: For Takionauts, it is our honor to be able to go to space for the motherland, and it is also a dream we have been pursuing for many years. It is even more happy to be able to break through the atmosphere and gaze at the motherland and overlook the hometown in the Chinese space station at an altitude of 400 kilometers. In fact, during the space flight, our tasks are very full. In addition to the mission, we can’t help looking down whenever the space station passes over the motherland. Through the porthole, we saw the beautiful capital Beijing, the winding Yellow River and Yangtze River, the towering roof of the world, and the vast desert Gobi. I was also fortunate to see my hometown Sichuan, known as the Land of Abundance, many times, and the land that nurtured me to grow up. Although the time to overlook the mountains and rivers of the motherland in the space station flying at the first cosmic speed is very limited, every time I see the vast land and the magnificent mountains and rivers, I will be deeply attracted by such pictures. In addition to the great visual impact, I am also deeply shocked in my heart. Now we have truly achieved the feat of overlooking the earth home from the space home. I am proud of the great motherland and China’s space industry from the bottom of my heart. The ideological and political class I just mentioned was in September last year, that is, during the mission of the Chinese space station. I had the honor to connect with young students through the “Youth Lecture Hall” and then exchanged letters with the children of the youth aviation class. I am very happy to communicate and share with you in this way, and I also hope to plant the seeds of their dreams. My space dream started with the dream of flying. Like thousands of students, we are constantly moving forward for our dreams. In them, I seem to see myself in the past, the one who was full of vigor and vitality. What I want to tell them is that on the road to pursuing dreams, there are many difficulties and setbacks, thorns and tests. But I believe that as long as you look up at the stars, keep your feet on the ground, hold your dreams in your heart, and forge ahead, you will definitely be able to find your own direction, and you will definitely be able to fly higher and farther. I believe that through your own efforts, the other side of your dreams is just ahead! Come on!
Q8
What interesting and unforgettable things can you share with us during this space journey? What new vision do you have for the future? Li Cong: After working in a small and confined environment in space for a long time, it is inevitable that you will feel a little boring occasionally. The support team of the Takionaut Research and Training Center will try their best to make our space life more interesting. They carefully prepared various holiday blind boxes and hid them in various hidden corners of the cargo ship before loading. At the beginning of each month, major holidays or birthdays, the ground staff will notify us to look for “surprises” in the cargo ship. The process is like a treasure hunt. After finding it, all of us come together to open the blind box and enjoy this process full of expectations and surprises. The gifts are also very rich. For example, there will be longevity noodles prepared for the “birthday star” in the birthday gift package. At the beginning of each month, we will receive popular foods that are highly rated by everyone, such as beef sauce, sauced spare ribs and even a whole roast chicken, which are all our favorites. In addition to food, there are also small toys such as decompression figurines. These carefully prepared small gifts fill our hearts with surprises and warmth, add happiness and expectations to our intense and fulfilling work, and are very effective psychological support. Let me share with you another story about manual weighing. You may have seen us doing an action often in the space station: holding something and shaking it back and forth. This is actually us doing manual weighing, estimating the weight based on the principle that different masses and momentums are different when the speed is constant. Therefore, we often shake something of known weight to find the feel, and then estimate the weight based on the feel. As the saying goes, the key to making a basket is to close the mouth. For space experiments, this “mouth” is how to bring back the samples safely without dropping them, which requires us to sort out and tie the samples in the return capsule before returning. During that time, the three of us in the crew memorized the entire downlink table, and we knew which bag to put the samples in and where to tie them. As we all know, the space in the return capsule is very limited. The difficulty of tying is that it should not affect the operation of the equipment in the cabin (such as the seat lifting), and it is also necessary to ensure that the samples will not fall when the return capsule lands. This requires multiple considerations to ensure that the fit is tight and the tying is strong. It is also important to tuck in the extra straps. After tying, we have to check again and again to ensure that shaking at all angles will not be affected. This is not only a delicate job, but also a strenuous job. In a state of weightlessness, you have to use all your strength to tie it tightly, and you will sweat every time you tie a bag. After landing, the three of us immediately confirmed with each other that all the samples were safe and sound before we felt relieved. During this business trip to space, I have also accumulated some insights and experiences, which I plan to share with my future flight teammates, and I also look forward to returning to space soon!
Q9
Thank you for taking photos of the beautiful mountains and rivers of the motherland during the business trip, so that everyone can witness the beauty of the land of China from the perspective of space. On the 75th anniversary of the founding of New China, the crew also celebrated the birthday of the motherland in orbit. What are your true feelings? Are there any other unforgettable moments that you can share with us? Li Guangsu: I feel honored and proud to be able to fight for the country. The party and the people sent me to fly, and I should repay the party with loyalty. Looking down at the earth from the vast space and looking back on the road I have come, the most unforgettable thing is the magnificent and beautiful land of the motherland. The strength of the motherland is also the common vision of all Chinese people. Being able to celebrate the birthday of the motherland in the Chinese space station is our most unforgettable moment, and we feel very proud. Over the past 75 years, it is the unremitting efforts of generations of Chinese people that have created this great new era. As an Takionaut, we are lucky to be able to personally experience the new journey from a space power to a space power. There are too many other unforgettable moments. I will never forget the lofty ambitions when I set out on the expedition, the highlights of seeing Chang’e-6 successfully sampling on the far side of the moon and Olympic athletes winning glory for the country while in orbit, the beautiful blue planet I saw from space, the shocking scene of welcoming the dawn, and every day of hard work in the space station.
Images and visuals are from their Respectives CMS China Manned SpaceCNSA-China National Space Administration
