China’s Tiangong crew completes third spacewalk

It has been reported that the taikonaut crew of the Tiangong Space Station, established by China in Earth orbit, has carried out its third spacewalk.

According to a statement from the China Manned Space Agency, taikonauts Cang Lu, Wang Fei, and Cang Hongbo completed their third extravehicular activity outside the station, CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency.

Cang Lu and Wang Fei performed operations outside the station, while Cang Hongbo remained inside to provide support.

During the spacewalk, which lasted about 5.5 hours, the crew—assisted by the station’s robotic arm and ground controllers—completed the installation of a space debris protection device and carried out maintenance on external equipment and systems.

The Shenzhou 21 crew was sent to the station on October 31, 2025. Their mission, originally planned for six months, is expected to be extended by one additional month.

China’s space station “Tiangong”

China built its own space station in Earth orbit after the United States restricted cooperation in space exploration and prevented its participation in the International Space Station program.

The “Tiangong” (Heavenly Palace) station—consisting of a core module, two laboratory modules, and with a space telescope planned for addition—was modeled after Russia’s now-defunct Mir Space Station.

The station’s main component, the “Tianhe” (Harmony of the Heavens) core module, was launched on April 29, 2021. The first laboratory module, “Wentian” (Quest for the Heavens), was launched on July 24, 2022, and the second, “Mengtian” (Dreaming of the Heavens), on October 31, 2022.

With the addition of the laboratory modules to the core module, the station’s “T”-shaped main structure was completed, and it has moved into the “application and development phase.”

A space telescope called “Xuntian” (Surveying the Heavens) is also planned to be added as a separate module.

The station hosts rotating three-person crews, with personnel transported by Shenzhou spacecraft and supplies delivered by Tianzhou spacecraft.