Shenzhou-14 astronauts have completed their third extravehicular activity

The attention of the World (of Space enthusiasts) is directed towards the journey of the Orion capsule towards the Moon, but in low Earth orbit the activities are in full swing in the two human outposts: the International Space Station and the Chinese space station Tiangong. In recent days the astronauts of the Shenzhou-14 mission they made their third extravehicular activities (EVA), demonstrating once again how this crew is one of the most active since the CSS has been in orbit.

Indeed, let us remember that Chen Dong And Cai Xuzhe And Liuyang they witnessed, while they were already on board Tiangong, upon the arrival of the Wentian and Mengtian laboratory modules which thus completed the final configuration of the CSS. This involved additional external work to allow full functionality of all elements. The first EVA was carried out at the beginning of September while the second EVA took place only twenty days later, on 20 September. Now, also seen that the astronauts of the Shenzhou-15 mission are about to get on board, the three taikonauts already in orbit they have completed a third.

Chinese Shenzhou-14 astronauts complete third EVA

According to what was officially reported, when it was 4:10 on November 17 (Italian time) the astronauts Chen Dong And Cai Xuzhe they came out of the hatch while Liuyang supervised operations from the Tianhe main module. The purpose of third extravehicular activity from Shenzhou-14 was mainly to install a support that securely connected the three modules (Tianhe, Wentian and Mengtian) so as to allow future EVAs to take place in a simpler and safer way. This special “handrail” it is divided into at least two parts 3.2 meters and 2.6 meters long respectively (the latter with a mass of 15 kg).

Li Wei (of CAST) he stated “without this equipment [ndr. il corrimano], taikonauts cannot move from Wentian form to Tianhe main form or Mengtian form on their own. Now, our taikonauts will be able to move more easily. Doubled therefore the distance that the taikonauts can reach”.

Li always stressed that this is the first EVA of Shenzhou-14 with all three modules present. This meant being able to send the signal from all three segments. Huang Weifen (of the CMSA) added that “compared to previous spacewalks, this time the two taikonauts outside the cabin collaborated more closely, as almost all tasks were performed jointly by the two of them. The efficiency of the EVAs was improved”.

The return within the module was at 9:50 (Italian time). The duration of the operations was therefore approx 5.5 hours compared to the 6.5 hours previously announced by CMSA extension And CNSA extension. Among other operations, a panoramic camera was also positioned on the Wentian module so as to allow the collection of new images of the Earth.

The astronauts were aided by the 15-metre robotic arm. This is made by joining Tianhe’s 10-meter robotic arm and Wentian’s 5-meter robotic arm to make a longer one. Interestingly Cai Xuzhe he performed his first EVA just in September and then in about two months he made two altogether.

The two sections of the handrail connecting the three modules of the CSS (source)

The Tianzhou-5 cargo spacecraft recently arrived and brought new food and supplies to the astronauts also in view of the arrival of the three colleagues from Shenzhou-15 (which will remain on board the CSS for about 6 months, like the last missions). It will also be her first time on board Tiangong there will be six people (two crews) at the same time. The launch is currently scheduled around November 29 at 16:05 (Italian time) with a Long March 2F rocket.

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