China's Shenzhou-14 astronauts conduct extravehicular activities

China's Shenzhou-14 astronauts Chen Dong and Liu Yang successfully exited the space station lab module Wentian on Thursday to conduct extravehicular activities (EVAs), according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

At 6:26 p.m. (Beijing Time), Chen opened the hatch of Wentian's airlock cabin. By 7:09 p.m., both Chen and Liu were out of Wentian, said the CMSA.

This is the first time the pair have conducted EVAs, as well as the first time Chinese astronauts have used Wentian's airlock cabin to carry out EVAs, said the CMSA.

With the aid of the small mechanical arm, the pair will conduct a series of extravehicular tasks, including the installation of the extended pump set of the Wentian lab module and lifting the lab module's panoramic camera. They will also verify the capability for independent transfer and emergency return to the spacecraft.

During the EVAs, astronaut Cai Xuzhe was inside the module to support his crewmates, according to the CMSA.

Screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Sept. 1, 2022 shows Shenzhou-14 astronaut Chen Dong having exited the space station lab module Wentian.

Screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Sept. 1, 2022 shows Shenzhou-14 astronaut Liu Yang exiting the space station lab module Wentian.

Screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Sept. 1, 2022 shows Shenzhou-14 astronaut Chen Dong getting ready to exit the space station lab module Wentian. 