Spacewalk Installs Debris Protection Devices [SZ-20 EVA-3]
Chen Dong has also become China's most experienced spacewalker.
Past the halfway point in their mission, the Shenzhou-20 crew onboard the Tiangong Space Station performed their third spacewalk. For the spacewalk, it is believed Chen Dong donned the blue suit, once again, while Wang Jie was in the red suit, then exited the station via the Wentian module’s airlock.
The crew’s third spacewalk is reported to have lasted about six and a half hours on August 15th, with the crew returning to the safety of the station at 22:47 pm China Stand Time (14:47 pm Universal Coordinated Time). Today’s spacewalk was Wang Jie’s first, while Chen Dong performed his sixth, bringing his total time outside Tiangong to about thirty-seven hours and making him China’s record holder for most spacewalks.
According to the China Manned Space Agency, this spacewalk saw the installation of space debris protection devices, to prevent damage from micrometeorites and orbital debris from disabling Tiangong. Installation of protection devices was assisted by the space station’s robotic arm, Chen Zhongrui inside the station, and teams back on Earth.
As is standard for a spacewalk onboard Tiangong, inspections of the Tianhe, Wentian, and Mengtian, as well as external hardware, were conducted as usual. These inspections ensure that the station is functioning properly and identify areas where extra protection devices are required to ensure Tiangong's continued operation until its retirement in the late 2030s.
Today’s spacewalk may have utilized two newly delivered and improved Feitian (飞天航天服) spacesuits, sent up via Tianzhou-9 in July. Those suits are also decorated in red and blue, making it difficult to identify if they were used.
Currently, it is unknown how many more spacewalks are planned for the Shenzhou-20 mission, with a few months left onboard the station. Two previous spacewalks for the crew occurred just over a month apart from one another.
At the moment, the Shenzhou-20 crew is going ot spend around two more months onboard Tiangong until they are relieved by the Shenzhou-21 crew in October. Throughout the remainder of their mission, as they have done so far, the three taikonauts will conduct science and technology experiments related to space life sciences, microgravity fundamental physics, space materials science, space medicine, and advanced aerospace technologies.
Spacewalk video will be added here when released several hours from now by the relevant agencies.
Meet the Shenzhou-20 crew
Chen Dong (陈冬)
For his third spaceflight, having flown for the Shenzhou-11 and Shenzhou-14 missions, Chen Dong of Henan province, born December 1978, is the Commander for the Shenzhou-20 mission. Chen was selected as a taikonaut in 2010 as part of the second batch.
Prior to his space career, Chen enlisted in the People’s Liberation Army Air Force in 1997 and joined the Communist Party of China in 1999. Following the Shenzhou-11 mission, he was awarded the Spaceflight Merit Medal (Third Class) along with the honorary title of hero taikonaut in 2016.
Chen Zhongrui (陈中瑞)
For his first spaceflight, Chen Zhongrui of Henan province, born October 1984, is the Operator for the Shenzhou-20 mission. Chen was selected as a taikonaut in 2020 as part of the third batch.
Prior to his space career, Chen enlisted in the People’s Liberation Army Air Force in 2003 and joined the Communist Party of China in 2005.
Wang Jie (王杰)
For his first spaceflight, Wang Jie of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, born September 1989, is the Science Operator for the Shenzhou-20 mission. Wang was selected as a taikonaut in 2020 as part of the third batch.
Prior to his space career, Wang was an engineer from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and joined the Communist Party of China in 2009.