HELSINKI - China's Shenzhou-17 astronauts, Mission Commander Tang Hongbo and Tang Shengjie, completed their first extravehicular activity (EVA) on Thursday to address minor damage to a solar array on the Tiangong space station. The EVA lasted approximately 7.5 hours and marked a significant milestone for China's space program.

The repair test conducted by the astronauts was aimed at fixing one of the solar arrays on the Tianhe core module, which had suffered minor damage from micrometeoroid hits. The successful experimental repair work is crucial for China's goal of maintaining the operational status of the Tiangong space station and ensuring its permanent occupation for at least a decade.

During the spacewalk, crewmate Jiang Xinlin provided assistance from inside Tiangong using the space station's robotic arm. Notably, Tang Shengjie, aged 34, became the youngest Chinese astronaut to embark on an EVA. Tang Hongbo had previously conducted his first spacewalk back in July 2021 during the Shenzhou-12 mission.

After completing the spacewalk, Tang Hongbo expressed the significance and challenges of the extravehicular activity, describing it as "an in-orbit maintenance in its true sense." The astronauts conducted closeup examinations of the solar array, aided by the station's robotic arms, as shown in a highlight video released by the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO).

Dong Nengli, deputy chief designer of China's human spaceflight program, highlighted the new challenges faced by the astronauts during the EVA. The repair work required precision and skill due to the flexibility and thinness of the solar wings, limiting the available space for operation. However, the successful repair signifies that the teams have mastered the ability for some extravehicular repairs, laying a solid foundation for the future safety and reliability of the space station.

Close coordination with the ground was crucial for the repair work, as Wang Yanlei, director of the astronaut selection and training department of the China Astronaut Research and Training Center, explained. The repair operation demanded high precision in the astronauts' operations, including their use of tools, and verification of the accuracy of their positions.

China completed the construction of the Tiangong space station in October 2022 and is now focused on its utilization. Plans for expansion include the launch of an additional module to expand the orbital outpost. Furthermore, Yang Liwei, China's first astronaut, announced that the selection process for the first international astronauts to visit Tiangong is in progress.

The Air Force's China Aerospace Studies Institute also noted in a report earlier this year that the way CMSEO operates Tiangong, including its participation of civilian astronauts and non-state-owned enterprise companies, could potentially change the global image of the Chinese space program. CMSEO operates under China's People's Liberation Army (PLA).

In addition, preparations are underway for the upcoming Tianzhou-7 cargo mission to Tiangong. Components for the Long March 7 rocket, which will launch the cargo supply mission, have arrived at the coastal Wenchang spaceport. The launch is expected to take place in mid-January, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

China's advancements in space technology and its successful extravehicular activity mark a significant step forward in the exploration and maintenance of the Tiangong space station. The achievements of the Shenzhou-17 astronauts contribute to China's growing reputation in the field of space exploration and elevate its standing on the global stage.