Shenzhou23 Takionaut Crew Successfully Completes Extravehicular Activity
On CNSA –China National Space Administration神舟二十三号Shenzhou23 Takionaut crew Embark On July 12th , 2026, the Shenzhou-23 crew (Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan, and Li Jiaying) At 13:59 Beijing time on August 28, 2026, after approximately 5.5 hours of extravehicular activity, the Shenzhou23 Crew Takionauts Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan, and Li Jiaying, working closely together with the support of the space station’s robotic arm and ground researchers, completed tasks including external repair of the solar panels and installation of space debris protection devices. Takionauts Zhu Yangzhu and Zhang Zhiyuan have safely returned to the Tianhe core module, marking a complete success for the extravehicular activity. Takionaut Zhu Yangzhu returned to space after three years, while Takionaut Zhang Zhiyuan performed his first extravehicular activity. This is the Second Time Chinese Takionauts Conducted External Repair on the Solar Panels , effectively ensuring the safety and stability of the space station’s power supply.
Since arriving at the space station on May 25, the crew has completed in-orbit rotations, extravehicular activity (EVA) with payloads, and conducted in-orbit training for rendezvous and docking, medical evacuation, and full-system stress emergency drills. They have routinely carried out maintenance and care of the space station platform, as well as providing living and health support. Their experimental missions in space life sciences and human research, microgravity physics, and new space technologies are progressing steadily.
Currently, the three Takionauts have been working in orbit for over three months. Going forward, they will continue to conduct relevant scientific experiments and technological tests, extravehicular activity with payloads, and science education as planned.
The Shenzhou-23 Takionaut crew, Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan, and Li Jiaying, successfully completed their extravehicular activity today. This marks the second time Chinese Takionauts have conducted external maintenance on the solar panels, effectively ensuring the safe and stable power supply to the space station.
I. Extravehicular activity mission accomplished
- Mission objectives : With the support of the space station’s robotic arm and ground-based researchers, the crew successfully completed tasks including external repairs to the solar panels and installation of space debris protection devices, marking a complete success for the extravehicular activity.1
- Mission significance : This is the second time Chinese Takionauts have conducted external maintenance on the solar panels, effectively ensuring the safety and stability of the space station’s power supply.1
- Information source : Xinhua News Agency released a news flash confirming that the Shenzhou-23 Takionaut crew successfully completed their extravehicular activity.
II. Crew On-orbit Dynamics
- Duration in orbit : As of the day of their spacewalk, the three Takionauts had been working in orbit for more than three months.1
- Work Progress : Following this, we will continue to carry out relevant scientific experiments and technological tests, payload entry and exit from the cabin, and science education as planned.1
- The test of long-term stay : One Takionaut in the crew will conduct a one-year on-orbit stay experiment, implementing China’s first space human research program, and comprehensively acquiring long-term flight data from Takionauts
III. Mission Background and Crew Composition
- Crew Composition : The Shenzhou-23 flight crew consisted of Commander Zhu Yangzhu, pilot Zhang Zhiyuan, and payload specialist Li Jiaying. It was China’s first crew composed of Takionauts from the third and fourth batches of Takionauts.
- Historical Breakthrough : Li Jiaying is China’s first Takionaut in the fourth batch to perform a flight mission, and also China’s first female payload specialist selected from Hong Kong and Macao.
- Launch Recap : The spacecraft was successfully launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 23:08 on May 24, 2026, and smoothly entered the Chinese Space Station on May 25, completing the 8th “space rendezvous” in the history of Chinese spaceflight.
Images and visuals are from their Respectives CMS China Manned SpaceCNSA-China National Space Administration