Science.-Fourth spacewalk to build the Chinese space station

MADRID, 27 (EUROPA PRESS)

Two taikonauts from the Shenzhou 13 mission have completed their second activity outside the Tianhe central module of the Chinese space station under construction.

As reported on Monday by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), it is the fourth spacewalk by taikonauts for the construction of the station, called Tiangong (Heavenly Palace).

It lasted for six hours, and Taikonauts Zhai Zhigang and Ye Guangfu completed tasks such as raising the panoramic camera and testing the equipment transportation system.

“EVAs (extravehicular activities) further tested the function and performance of the central module airlock cabin, extravehicular suit, and mechanical arm, and evaluated EVA-related technologies, taikonauts coordination within and outside the space station and the coordination between space and Earth, “explained CMSA, quoted by Xinhua.

The Shenzhou-13 crew will continue their work in orbit to welcome the coming new year. This is also the first time that Chinese taikonauts have welcomed a new year in space, the CMSA added.

CMSA noted that extravehicular operations are becoming the normal work of space station flight missions. Chinese taikonauts will carry out more EVAs that are more complex to provide strong support for the successful completion of construction and stable operation of the space station.

China launched the Shenzhou-13 spacecraft on October 16, sending three taikonauts on a six-month mission to build its space station. The crew conducted the first EVAs on November 7.