Chinese Astronauts Set Record for Longest Spacewalk
Two astronauts from China have achieved a significant milestone in space exploration by completing the longest spacewalk recorded in history. On December 17, 2024, astronauts Cai Xuzhe and Song Lingdong spent a remarkable nine hours and six minutes outside the Tiangong space station, as reported by the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO).
This impressive spacewalk surpasses the previous record of eight hours and 56 minutes, held by NASA astronauts James Voss and Susan Helms back in 2001.
The CMSEO shared that at 21:57 on December 17, the Shenzhou 19 crew, which includes Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong, and Wang Haoze, collaborated closely to complete their mission. They received assistance from the space station’s robotic arm and support from ground research teams.
According to the CMSEO, the astronauts engaged in various tasks, including installing devices designed to protect the station from space debris, inspecting equipment, and handling extravehicular gear. After their extensive work outside, both astronauts safely returned to the Wentian experimental module.
The astronauts are part of the ongoing Shenzhou 19 mission, which launched in October 2024 and marks the eighth flight to China’s space station. They are scheduled to remain in space for about six months before returning to Earth in 2025.
The Tiangong space station is modular and is set to expand over time. It already includes the core module Tianhe, launched in 2021, along with two laboratory modules, Wentian and Mengtian, both brought into orbit in 2022.
It’s important to note that China is not involved with the International Space Station (ISS), a collaborative endeavor involving the U.S., Russia, Europe, and Japan. The ISS is planned for decommissioning in 2030, and NASA aims to transition to commercial space stations, potentially positioning China’s space station as a leading platform for research in low-Earth orbit during any interim period.
NASA has recently outlined its strategy for maintaining a human presence in space after the ISS is retired, focusing on establishing a variety of providers to ensure continuous access to low-Earth orbit.
