Shenzhou-18 Crew Celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival | China Space Station

Shenzhou-18 Crew Celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival | China Space Station

The astronauts aboard China's space station Tiangong were not able to personally join the 1.4 billion fellow Chinese in spending the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, but they instead enjoyed their festival feast in-orbit high above the Earth on the occasion of the holiday for family reunion.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most important festivals in Chinese culture. It falls on the 15th day of the eighth month on the Chinese lunar calendar and dates back more than a millennium. As a festival in honor of the Moon and harvest, families reunite on the occasion to admire the bright full moon, light lanterns, and share the holiday pastry of mooncakes.

The Shenzhou-18 crew, stationed in outer space, marked the occasion with a unique celebration, appreciating the Moon from the Tiangong space station, enjoying a festive feast, and sending warm wishes to those on the ground.

Astronaut Ye Guangfu, one of the three crew members, stated that from the space station, they can witness the Moon as it rises and sets 16 times a day, as the station orbits the Earth approximately every 90 minutes.

The Mid-Autumn Festival feast in space was particularly lavish, featuring dishes like spicy mutton, stewed beef with potatoes, braised pork chops, and milky chicken. The ground support team prepared personalized food packages tailored to each astronaut's tastes, with mooncakes as a must-have item.

"Let's open it now and see what our moon cake really looks like. The expected moon cake has come out. It's one filled with lotus seed paste. I hereby also wish you all a happy reunion filled with blessings," Ye said.

On April 25, 2024, China launched the Shenzhou-18 crewed spaceship, carrying three astronauts—Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu—to the space station for a six-month mission.

Shenzhou-18 Crew:

Ye Guangfu (叶光富, commander)

Li Cong (李聪, mission specialist)

Li Guangsu (李广苏, mission specialist)

Video Credit: CCTV

Duration: 49 seconds

Release Date: Sept. 18, 2024

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