Shenzhou-18 astronauts meet press after return from space

Astronauts Ye Guangfu (2nd R), Li Cong (1st R) and Li Guangsu (3rd R) from China's Shenzhou-18 crewed mission meet with the press in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 8, 2025. The three astronauts from China's Shenzhou-18 crewed mission met with the press on Wednesday, marking their first public appearance since returning from space two months ago. (Xinhua/Li Minggang)

BEIJING, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- The three astronauts from China's Shenzhou-18 crewed mission met with the press on Wednesday, marking their first public appearance since returning from space two months ago.

All three crew members -- Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu -- are in good physical and mental health. Their muscle strength, endurance and exercise cardiopulmonary function have basically returned to pre-flight levels.

China launched the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship on April 25, 2024. The trio returned to Earth on Nov. 4 after 192 days in orbit, setting a new record for the longest single crewed mission in space by Chinese astronauts.

During the mission, the Shenzhou-18 crew utilized the scientific experiment cabinets and extravehicular payloads to carry out dozens of experiments in the fields of basic physics in microgravity, space material science, space life science, space medicine and space technology. They also carried out extravehicular activities on two occasions.

Ye, the Shenzhou-18 mission commander, has become the first Chinese astronaut with an accumulated spaceflight time of more than a year, setting a new record for the longest duration of stay in orbit by a Chinese astronaut.

"I am honored to witness and participate in the significant progress in China's manned space missions with my teammates," he said at the press conference held at the Astronaut Center of China in Beijing.

The crew will resume regular training once they have passed all health and well-being assessments.

Astronaut Li Cong from China's Shenzhou-18 crewed mission meets with the press in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 8, 2025. The three astronauts from China's Shenzhou-18 crewed mission met with the press on Wednesday, marking their first public appearance since returning from space two months ago. (Xinhua/Li Minggang)

Astronaut Li Guangsu from China's Shenzhou-18 crewed mission meets with the press in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 8, 2025. The three astronauts from China's Shenzhou-18 crewed mission met with the press on Wednesday, marking their first public appearance since returning from space two months ago. (Xinhua/Li Minggang)

Astronaut Ye Guangfu from China's Shenzhou-18 crewed mission meets with the press in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 8, 2025. The three astronauts from China's Shenzhou-18 crewed mission met with the press on Wednesday, marking their first public appearance since returning from space two months ago. (Xinhua/Li Minggang)

Astronauts Ye Guangfu (2nd R), Li Cong (1st R) and Li Guangsu (3rd R) from China's Shenzhou-18 crewed mission meet with the press in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 8, 2025. The three astronauts from China's Shenzhou-18 crewed mission met with the press on Wednesday, marking their first public appearance since returning from space two months ago. (Photo by Su Dong/Xinhua)