According to the China Manned Space Administration, the Shenzhou-17 astronauts conducted their first spacewalk on Thursday and completed a series of missions outside the Tiangong Space Station.

Commander Tang Hongbo and crew member Tang Shengjie floated outside the massive orbital station for 7 and a half hours before returning to the Wentian Science Module at 9:35 pm. The report states that the third crew member, Colonel Jiang Xinlin, stayed inside the Tiangong to provide support.

This is the 14th spacewalk conducted by Chinese astronauts.

According to the organization, during the operation, Tang Hongbo and Tang Shengjie completed pre-set tasks, such as experimental maintenance operations for the solar wings in the Tianhe core module.

This spacewalk is Tang Hongbo's second spacewalk, and he is also the first person to return to the Tiangong Space Station.

This also makes Tang Shengjie, who is currently 34 years old, the youngest Chinese astronaut with experience in spacewalking.

The Shenzhou-17 manned spacecraft will carry out a large number of scientific and technological missions in the coming months, and added that they plan to conduct several spacewalks during the remaining days of orbital stay.

Astronauts are the sixth group of residents of the Heavenly Palace and arrived at this massive flying outpost on October 26th to replace their Shenzhou 16 spacecraft.

Since their arrival, the astronauts have inspected and maintained equipment, tested extravehicular spacesuits, and prepared for their first spacewalk. According to the organization, they also conducted exercises on robotic arm operation, emergency evacuation, and medical response, and carried out a series of scientific and technological tasks.

The Tiangong currently operates in an orbit about 400 kilometers from Earth, consisting of three main components - the Tianhe Core Module, the Wentian and Mengtian Science Laboratory Module, and is connected to the Shenzhou-17 manned spacecraft and the Tianzhou-6 cargo spacecraft.