Taikonauts Install New External Hardware [SZ-20 EVA-2]
Chen Dong and Chen Zhongrui have exited Tiangong for the second time.
Just over two months into their mission, the Shenzhou-20 crew performed their second spacewalk onboard the Tiangong Space Station. For the spacewalk, Chen Dong donned the blue suit with Chen Zhongrui in the red suit before leaving via the Wentian module’s airlock.
This spacewalk is reported to have lasted around six and a half hours on June 26th, with the crew returning to the airlock at 21:29 pm China Standard Time (13:29 pm Universal Coordinated Time). This spacewalk was Chen Zhongrui’s second, bringing his total time outside to around fourteen and a half hours, and Chen Dong’s fifth overall, bringing his total time outside Tiangong to about thirty and a half hours.
Wang Jie once again supported the two spacewalkers from inside the Tianhe module, while the duo installed more space debris protection devices as well as interface and foot restraint adapters on external platforms, with the help of Tiangongs robotic arm. These adapters are expected to allow a time saving of up to forty minutes during future spacewalks, allowing for either less time outside Tiangong or more work outside in a similar timeframe.
Like every other spacewalk onboard Tiangong, inspections of the Tianhe, Wentian, and Mengtian, as well as external hardware, were conducted. These inspections ensure that the station is functioning properly and identifies areas where extra protection devices are required to ensure Tiangong's continued operation until its retirement in the late 2030s.
The second spacewalk comes just 35 days after Chen Dong and Chen Zhongrui performed their first one for the mission. It is unknown how many more spacewalks are planned for the Shenzhou-20 mission, but a one-month gap has now been repeatedly proven, allowing for possibly up to four more if needed for the current mission. These spacewalks will be scheduled to avoid the arrival of the Tianzhou-9 cargo spacecraft next month.
At the moment, the Shenzhou-20 crew will spend around four more months onboard Tiangong until they are relieved by the Shenzhou-21 crew in October. Throughout the remainder of their mission, 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.
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.