The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) has announced that the crew members of Shenzhou-18, who have been aboard the Tiangong space station for the past three months, have successfully conducted numerous equipment tests and scientific experiments in space.
Astronaut Diep Quang Phu of Shenzhou-18 working outside the space station on May 28. (Photo: Xinhua).
According to the latest announcement from the China Manned Space Agency, the three crew members of Shenzhou-18 aboard the Chinese Tiangong space station, namely Diep Quang Phu, Li Tong, and Li Guang Su, have successfully tested smoke detection sensors in the space station to verify the functionality of the fire alarm system and collect samples for research.
The crew utilized specialized tools to check the temperature and smoke detectors within the station, activating the fire alarm system, which includes voice alerts, lights, and devices.
Meanwhile, the astronauts also collected samples for aerospace medical testing and research. Some samples were frozen for later analysis on Earth, aiming to develop models for predicting health risks and studying physiological changes during long-duration space flights.
The three astronauts conducted orbital research on blood samples to monitor physiological indicators. They analyzed plasma using a molecular probe spectrometer, verifying the feasibility of detecting organic compounds like proteins through this method in space. The astronauts also performed maintenance tasks and medical checks throughout their mission.
China launched the crewed Shenzhou-18 spacecraft to send three astronauts to the Tiangong space station on April 25, embarking on a six-month mission. Earlier, at the end of May, the crew members of Shenzhou-18 completed their first spacewalk at the Tiangong space station.
