Tang Hongbo breaks China's human space record

This post was originally published on March 2nd 2024.

Official photo of Tang Hongbo for the Shenzhou 17 mission. ©China Manned Space Agency

Back on the 27th of February, Tang Hongbo, commander of the Shenzhou 17 mission to the Tiangong Space Station, passed the previous record of days spent on orbit by a Taikonaut. The previous record was believed to have been held by Chen Dong who had spent almost 214 days in Space. Tang Hongbo now holds the record at approximately 217 days, at the time of writing.

Tang Hongbo is currently commanding the Shenzhou 17 mission aboard China's Tiangong Space Station, the mission has recently entered its fifth month aboard with a planned end of mission in April.

Jiang Xinlin (left), Tang Hongbo (center), and Tang Shengjie (right) sharing a meal as part of the Chinese New Year celebrations aboard China's space station. ©China Manned Space Agency/China Central Television

The Shenzhou 17 mission is Tang Hongbo's second trip to space after having previously spent ninety-two days in space during the Shenzhou 12 mission. He also previously served as a fighter pilot for the People's Liberation Army Air Force at the rank of Senior colonel.

Who are Tang Hongbo's crewmates during the mission?

Official photos of Tang Shengjie (left), and Jiang Xinlin (right) for the Shenzhou 17 mission. ©China Manned Space Agency

Also aboard for the Shenzhou 17 mission are Tang Shengjie and Jiang Xinlin. Tang Shengjie was previously a 'first-grade pilot and squadron commander' at a People's Liberation Army Air Force fighter jet brigade before being selected as a taikonaut in September 2020. Jiang Xinlin was previously a 'first-grade pilot and deputy group commander' at a People's Liberation Army Air Force fighter jet brigade before being selected as a taikonaut in September 2020.