Tiangong Space Station's Solar Wings Restored After Spacewalk Repair by Shenzhou XVII Team

Tiangong Space Station's Solar Wings Restored After Spacewalk Repair by Shenzhou XVII Team
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Mar 04, 2024

The crew of Shenzhou XVII has marked a significant milestone in the history of China's manned space exploration by successfully completing their second spacewalk outside the Tiangong space station. This recent EVA, conducted on Saturday, was particularly noteworthy as it included the first repair operation performed in space by Chinese astronauts, a statement from the China Manned Space Agency confirmed.

Mission commander Senior Colonel Tang Hongbo and crew member Lieutenant Colonel Jiang Xinlin were the astronauts who ventured outside the orbital station, spending nearly eight hours in the vacuum of space to execute their tasks. Their colleague, Lieutenant Colonel Tang Shengjie, played a critical support role from within the confines of the Tiangong, coordinating efforts with ground control to ensure the success of the mission.

The spacewalk was not just another routine operation but a critical maintenance endeavor that saw the astronauts repair damage to the Tianhe core module's solar wings. These wings had suffered impairments due to the impact of tiny space debris, a growing concern for orbital platforms. Thanks to the efforts of Tang Hongbo and Jiang Xinlin, the solar wings were restored to full operational status, ensuring the continued energy supply critical for the station's functionality.

This operation marked the 15th EVA conducted by Chinese astronauts and underscored the advancing capabilities of China in conducting complex operations in space. The spacewalk also served as an inspection opportunity, allowing the astronauts to assess the external condition of the Tiangong space station, ensuring its integrity and safety.

For Tang Hongbo, this spacewalk was his third, making him not only a veteran of extravehicular activity but also the first person to return to the Tiangong space station, highlighting the increasingly routine nature of manned missions to China's orbital outpost.

The Shenzhou XVII mission, consisting of the sixth crew to inhabit the Tiangong, commenced with their arrival at the space station on October 26. They took over operations from the predecessors of the Shenzhou XVI mission, continuing the ongoing work and research being conducted in orbit. Their first spacewalk, which took place on December 21, involved a series of tasks including a repair test, showcasing the crew's versatility and skill in handling the challenges of space maintenance.

As the Shenzhou XVII astronauts prepare to conclude their mission by the end of April, they will leave behind a legacy of successful operations and a well-maintained orbital station ready for the next crew, Shenzhou XVIII.

Based on a Xinhua News Agency article