Aug 18, 08:03 PM

Chen Dong Sets Chinese Spacewalk Record During Tiangong Debris-Shield Mission

Two astronauts aboard China’s Tiangong space station spent 6.5 hours outside the orbital complex on 15 August, installing additional debris-protection shields and conducting exterior inspections during the third extravehicular activity of the Shenzhou 20 mission, state media and specialist outlets reported. Mission commander Chen Dong completed his sixth career spacewalk—more than any other Chinese astronaut—while crewmate Wang Jie worked alongside him. A third taikonaut, Chen Zhongrui, provided support from inside the station. The Shenzhou 20 crew launched on 24 April for a six-month stay and has now passed the halfway point of its assignment, which includes life-science and technology experiments. Ahead of the excursion, the crew used an on-board artificial-intelligence system dubbed “Wukong” to generate schedules and guidance, according to Chinese reports. The large-language model, delivered to Tiangong in July, is designed to assist astronauts with complex operational procedures. China is also promoting its human-spaceflight programme to the public: an 8K-resolution documentary film, “Shenzhou 13,” shot entirely aboard Tiangong by a previous crew, will open in domestic cinemas on 5 September.