A pair of Chinese astronauts, Cai Xuzhe and Song Lingdong, successfully completed a seven-hour extravehicular activity (EVA) outside the Tiangong space station on March 21. This mission marks a significant step in China's ongoing space program. The astronauts returned to the Wentian science module at 8:50 a.m. Eastern (1250 UTC), having accomplished a series of crucial tasks.
Their work included installing space debris protective shielding, completing the deployment started in previous missions. They also installed extravehicular auxiliary facilities and conducted inspections of equipment and systems. Cai utilized Tiangong’s robotic arm for photographic inspections at specific points on the station's exterior. Wang Haoze, the third crew member, provided support from inside the station.
“The astronauts performed exceptionally well during the extravehicular mission. First, all of our operations were successful on the first attempt, and the alignment and installation of devices were very precise. In fact, the astronauts completed the tasks even faster than we had anticipated,” said Wang Yanlei of the China Astronaut Research and Training Center to China Central Television (CCTV).
“The coordination between the astronauts, as well as between the space station and the ground team, was seamless,” Wang added, highlighting the team's efficiency and collaboration. Cai Xuzhe has now completed five EVAs, surpassing all other Chinese astronauts.
The Shenzhou-19 crew has conducted various scientific experiments, including fruit fly cultivation, protein crystallization experiments, and studies on different cell types. They also performed materials science experiments utilizing Tiangong’s specialized equipment.
“By leveraging the different experimental conditions of China’s space station and the International Space Station, we conduct scientific research in related fields in a complementary manner, enabling deeper and more extensive space exploration,” noted Wang Yifeng of the Technology and Engineering Centre for Space Utilization, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The mission also implemented a new health assessment system integrating traditional Chinese and Western medicine, tracking key physiological and psychological indicators. The crew also utilized Xiao Hang, a small AI robot to support operations.
Crews for the upcoming Shenzhou-20 and -21 missions have been selected, though details remain unannounced. The Long March 2F rocket for Shenzhou-21, set for launch in the second half of 2025, is already prepared for a rapid-response launch if needed.