China is preparing for the Shenzhou-20 crew’s third extravehicular activity as part of its ongoing space station mission. Notably, this milestone features a new spacesuit upgrade, recently delivered with the Tianzhou-9 cargo spacecraft in July. The crew has already unpacked the advanced suits and, therefore, completed all preparations for the upcoming spacewalk.
Since their second spacewalk in late June, the Shenzhou-20 astronauts have completed key tasks. For instance, they sent off the Tianzhou-8 cargo craft, welcomed Tianzhou-9, and conducted environmental checks. Additionally, they carried out equipment inspections, maintenance work, inventory control, and readiness drills for the next EVA.
Meanwhile, the mission continues to progress across scientific and technical fronts. Research includes space life sciences, human health monitoring, microgravity physics, and applications for new space technologies. Consequently, these activities aim to enhance the station’s operational capabilities while advancing China’s aerospace science.
The space station remains in stable condition, and the crew is healthy and prepared. Furthermore, officials have confirmed that all systems are ready for the planned EVA. The new spacesuit upgrade is a highlight of this phase, as it extends the design life from three years to four. It also increases use cycles from 15 to 20, thereby improving mission efficiency.
Each suit integrates advanced safety features and ergonomic design for long-duration operations. In fact, engineers consider spacesuits to be miniature space stations, embodying high-end national technology. The new spacesuit upgrade reflects China’s commitment to performance, safety, and comfort for its astronauts.
China has already demonstrated its spacesuit capabilities with the world’s longest single spacewalk. Therefore, this achievement showcases the country’s ability to support complex extravehicular missions. The new upgrade builds on this record, ensuring the crew can perform more tasks outside the station.
As the Shenzhou-20 crew prepares to step out once again, the mission underlines China’s expanding role in space exploration. With the new spacesuit upgrade, the astronauts can work more efficiently and safely during critical operations. Ultimately, this advancement strengthens China’s position in developing reliable, high-performance EVA technology for future missions.
