China’s Shenzhou-19 Crew Tackles Spacewalk Lock Failure with Precision
China’s Shenzhou-19 crew has revealed that they overcame a critical equipment fault during a record-setting nine-hour spacewalk in December 2024. This extravehicular activity (EVA) is now the longest single spacewalk ever completed.
Improvised Repair During Historic EVA
Astronaut Cai Xuzhe, now China’s most experienced spacewalker with five EVAs, detailed the incident during post-mission disclosures. While installing equipment outside the station, a payload adapter became partially jammed. The device was meant to deploy via the cargo airlock with two locking mechanisms. The first lock disengaged properly using the robotic arm. However, the second lock failed, leaving part of the mechanism still attached to the station’s exterior.
To resolve this, the astronauts had to improvise a tool in space. Cai, assisted by crewmate Song Lingdong, used the robotic arm to position themselves near the jammed device. The repair occurred during their first spacewalk on 17 December 2024.
Race Against Time in Harsh Conditions
The operation had to be completed within tight time constraints due to the availability of sunlight. With only about 40 minutes left in the final usable window, the astronauts had already worked over seven hours in China’s new Feitian spacesuits. Despite these challenges, they completed the task successfully.
Cai explained that their oxygen supply remained within safety limits throughout the mission. He emphasised that the suits are equipped with both primary and backup oxygen tanks. The team closely monitored their status, ready to abort if necessary—though they never needed to.
Milestone for China’s Space Capabilities
The mission’s success highlights the maturity of China’s spaceflight programme. The nine-hour EVA not only set a national record but also outlasted all previous spacewalks globally.
Cai summed up the mission’s achievements by noting three key strengths: the proven reliability of their spacesuits, their capacity for sustained extravehicular work, and the crew’s autonomous problem-solving ability in space.
with inputs from Reuters
