When China’s Shenzhou-19 astronauts suited up for a routine spacewalk last December, they didn’t expect to make history. But a jammed payload adapter turned their mission into a nine-hour orbital marathon – now officially the longest extravehicular activity (EVA) ever recorded! 🌌
Astronaut Cai Xuzhe, now China’s most seasoned spacewalker with five EVAs under his belt, recently revealed how the crew tackled the surprise malfunction. The team encountered a partially stuck lock during equipment installation left from previous missions, requiring quick thinking in zero gravity. 🔧
"It felt like solving a Rubik’s Cube while riding a roller coaster," Cai joked during post-mission briefings. The crew’s troubleshooting success – using specialized tools developed by Chinese engineers – highlights the country’s growing expertise in orbital repairs. 🛠️
This high-stakes spacewalk not only broke records but also demonstrated China’s ability to handle complex technical challenges 400 km above Earth. With lunar ambitions on the horizon, such skills could prove vital for future deep-space exploration. 🌕
