Chinese astronaut Zhang Lu has equaled the national record for most spacewalks, completing his sixth extravehicular activity (EVA) outside the Tiangong space station on Monday, March 16. The seven-hour operation, conducted alongside colleague Wu Fei, involved installing debris shielding on the station’s exterior. This mission highlights China’s growing capabilities in long-duration space operations and its commitment to maintaining a continuous human presence in orbit.
Mission Details and Objectives
The spacewalk began at 7:25 a.m. EDT (1125 GMT; 7:35 p.m. Beijing Time) and was supported by astronaut Zhang Hongzhang inside the station, as well as ground teams and the station’s robotic arm. The astronauts wore advanced Feitian spacesuits during the EVA. The primary task was to enhance Tiangong’s protection against orbital debris—an increasingly critical concern for all space stations. This demonstrates a proactive approach to space safety, given the rising threat of collisions with small, untrackable objects.
Historical Context and Significance
Zhang Lu now shares the record for most spacewalks by a Chinese astronaut with Chen Dong, who also has six under his belt. The record for total spacewalks remains with Russian cosmonaut Anatoly Solovyev (16) and American astronaut Peggy Whitson (10).
This achievement is not just a matter of individual milestones; it reflects China’s rapid advancement in space technology and its increasing role in international space activities.
The current mission, Shenzhou 21, follows a prior EVA in December where the same crew inspected damage to the Shenzhou 20 spacecraft, which had to be replaced due to suspected debris-related structural issues. The Shenzhou 20 crew returned to Earth in the Shenzhou 21 capsule as a precaution.
Future Plans for Tiangong
China intends to maintain a continuous human presence on Tiangong for at least another decade. The upcoming Shenzhou 23 and 24 missions, along with additional Tianzhou cargo deliveries, will ensure the station remains fully supplied and operational. The Shenzhou 22 spacecraft, launched late last year, serves as a backup vehicle for the Shenzhou 21 crew, illustrating China’s redundancy measures in response to potential risks.
This steady progress in human spaceflight underscores China’s long-term ambitions for orbital research, technology development, and international cooperation in low Earth orbit.
