On Sunday, two astronauts from China conducted the first spacewalk outside the country's new orbital station, with the aim of installing cameras and other related equipment, using a 15-meter-long robotic arm.
The mission of the two Chinese astronauts Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo was broadcast on Chinese state television. The audience saw the two astronauts step outside the orbital station with Earth in the background, while the third crew member, commander Nie Haisheng, remained inside.
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According to the Chinese space agency, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo spent almost seven hours outside the station before installing the necessary equipment.
Chinese astronauts reached orbit on June 17 for a three-month mission to the country's third orbital station, about 380 km above Earth. The mission is part of an ambitious Chinese space program that landed a robotic rover on Mars. It is China's longest-lasting manned mission to date. The impressive spacewalk outside the Chinese-built space station comes as the Chinese Communist Party celebrates the 100th anniversary of its founding.
The station's first module, Tianhe or Heavenly Harmony, reached orbit on April 29. It was followed by an automated spacecraft with food and fuel. Finally, the astronauts and commander arrived on June 17 in the Shenzhou-12, which was successfully launched on a Long March 2F rocket.
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On Sunday, Liu strapped his feet to a platform at the end of an arm that held him in the proper position to install the required equipment.
Liu is a veteran of the Shenzhou 7 , in which renowned Chinese astronaut Zhai Zhigang performed the country's first spacewalk. Commander Nie Haisheng is making his third trip to space, while Tang is making his first. All three have served as pilots in the Chinese military.
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China's space agency plans a total of 11 launches by the end of next year to add two more modules to the orbital station, which will weigh 70 tons and will consist of living quarters, scientific laboratories, and a telescope.
Source: Bloomberg
