The Shenzhou XVI members completed their first spacewalk on Thursday, equipping and adjusting (调整) camera devices outside the Tiangong space station, according to the China Manned Space Agency.
This was the 13th spacewalk carried out by Chinese astronauts. Mission commander Major General Jing Haipeng and spaceflight engineer Colonel Zhu Yangzhu conducted their eight-hour spacewalk and returned to the Wentian science module (舱) at 9:40 pm, the agency said in a news announcement. Professor Gui Haichao, the third member of the crew (全体工作人员) and the mission’s science payload specialist, stayed inside the space station to provide support, the news release said.
During their spacewalk, Jing and Zhu finished a series of tasks, such as fixing a support structure for an expected camera outside the Tianhe central module and unlocking and moving two expected cameras outside the Mengtian science module. Jing, who was on his fourth spaceflight, took part in a spacewalk for the first time. During the Shenzhou W mission in September 2008, which was his first spaceflight, Jing stayed inside the spaceship to assist his fellow members, Zhai Zhigang and Liu Borning, who completed China’s first spacewalk.
On Thursday afternoon, Yang Yuguang, a senior space industry observer and vice-chair of the International Astronautical Federation’s Space Transportation Committee, had said that despite this being Jing’s first spacewalk, he should have no problem in completing the operation because he is an experienced astronaut and has been mission commander three times. “Jing has known how to deal with difficult tasks and has rich experience in controlling challenging or risky situations, which will help him when he carries out the spacewalk,” Yang said.” Zhu was a teacher at the Space Engineering University before he became an astronaut, so he has expert knowledge in spacecraft engineering and operations,” Yang added.
The Shenzhou XVI crew arrived at the Tiangong space station on May 30 to take over it from their Shenzhou XV crew, who had stayed there for six months.
12. What did Professor Gui Haichao focus on during the 13th spacewalk?
A.Equipping cameras. | B.Adjusting some instruments. |
C.Managing spaceship. | D.Providing support in the space station. |
13. What can we know about Jing Haipeng?
A.He is good at spacewalking. |
B.He has flew four space missions. |
C.He completed the task by himself. |
D.He is the first Chinese astronaut to take a spacewalk. |
14. What can we infer from Yang Yuguang’s words?
A.Astronauts need a lot of training. |
B.Jing and Zhu are highly experienced. |
C.Spacewalk is a hard operation to complete. |
D.Astronauts face impossible challenges in the mission. |
15. What is the best title for the text?
A.The Shenzhou XV mission ends with a safe return |
B.The three great astronauts of Shenzhou XVI |
C.An unforgettable experience in the Tiangong space station |
D.The Shenzhou XVI crew complete first spacewalk |