Wang Yaping’s Historic Spacewalk on November 12, 2021

On November 12, 2021, Wang Yaping carved her name into the annals of space exploration history by becoming the first Chinese woman to conduct a spacewalk. This significant event took place during the Shenzhou 13 mission, part of China’s ambitious space program to build the Tiangong space station.

Background

The mission commenced with the launch of Shenzhou 13, which docked with the Tianhe core module of the Tiangong space station. This mission was the second crewed mission to Tianhe and was an essential step in China’s multi-year effort to complete its modular space station by the end of 2022.

The Spacewalk

Wang Yaping, along with her colleague Zhai Zhigang, exited the Tianhe module to conduct a series of operations outside the space station. The activities included testing the performance of the Chinese-made Feitian space suits, installing components, and conducting external equipment adjustments and camera setup.

Significance

Wang’s achievement is not only a milestone for China’s space program but also a landmark for gender representation in STEM fields, particularly in space exploration. As the first Chinese woman to conduct a spacewalk, she joins a select group of female astronauts worldwide who have participated in such activities, expanding the visibility and acknowledgment of women in historically male-dominated space missions.

Aftermath

The successful spacewalk is part of a mission planned to last approximately six months, during which the crew will continue to work on additional tasks fundamental to the space station’s development. Wang’s participation marks a continuing shift towards greater inclusivity and representation in space missions, heralding progress in China’s efforts to establish a permanent human presence in low Earth orbit.

Wang Yaping’s accomplishments contribute to a growing tradition of female achievements in space exploration, reflecting changing societal norms and the evolving roles of women in science and technology.