The Shenzhou-21 crew aboard China's orbiting Tiangong space station completed their mission's third series of extravehicular activities (EVAs) on Friday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
The astronaut trio -- Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang -- worked for roughly five and a half hours and completed their EVAs at 01:36 (Beijing Time), assisted by the space station's robotic arm and a team on Earth.
The trio completed the installation of a space debris protection device for the space station, and extravehicular equipment and facility inspections, among other tasks. Zhang Lu, the commander of the Shenzhou-21 mission, and Wu Fei conducted the spacewalk and returned to the Wentian lab module safely, according to the CMSA.
Zhang Lu has so far carried out seven EVAs, making him one of the Chinese astronauts with the most spacewalks to date.
Since completing their second series of EVAs on March 16, the Shenzhou-21 astronauts have steadily advanced experiments in areas such as space life sciences, human research, and microgravity physical science. They have carries out in-orbit environmental monitoring, equipment inspection and maintenance, and supply management. The crew has also completed a full-system pressure emergency drill, emergency life-support training, and preparations for extravehicular activities.
The three astronauts have been in orbit for more than five months and remain in good working and living condition.
To further validate technologies related to long-term human habitation in orbit and to maximize the comprehensive benefits of using the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft as an emergency launch vehicle to resupply the space station, it has been decided, after careful evaluation and assessment, that the crew's stay in orbit will be extended by approximately one month.
During the upcoming phase of their space journey, the crew will continue to conduct scientific experiments and technical tests, and will also celebrate the Space Day of China, which is marked annually on April 24, and the International Workers' Day on May 1 while in orbit.
Shenzhou-21 astronauts complete 3rd series of extravehicular activities
Israel and Lebanon will formally begin a 10-day ceasefire at 17:00 U.S. Eastern Time (2100 GMT) on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced after his phone calls with the two countries' leaders.
"I just had excellent conversations with the Highly Respected President Joseph Aoun, of Lebanon, and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel. These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE at 5 P.M. EST," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
"I have directed Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Rubio, together with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Razin' Caine, to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve a Lasting PEACE," he said.
He added that he will invite President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House "for the first meaningful talks between Lebanon and Israel since 1983," expressing belief that peace will be achieved between the two countries.
According to multiple Israeli media outlets, Netanyahu convened the security cabinet by phone to inform them of his acceptance of Trump's ceasefire request.
He told cabinet ministers that the Israeli army would remain in its current positions in southern Lebanon, which Israel defines as a security zone, and that the ceasefire conditions would allow Israeli forces to operate if it detected threats.
The prime minister noted that Israel has two main demands in these talks -- the disarmament of Hezbollah and a lasting peace agreement.
Following Trump's ceasefire announcement, a Hezbollah lawmaker said that the group will monitor Israel's "practical and effective" commitment to halting all hostile actions against Lebanon, following what he described as an Iran-mediated comprehensive ceasefire.
"We call on our people to wait for the actual implementation of the ceasefire, as we are accustomed to Israel reneging on its commitments," Hassan Fadlallah, the lawmaker, told Lebanese broadcaster Al Mayadeen.
Hezbollah sources, quoted by local Al Jadeed TV, said that any proposed ceasefire must include a comprehensive halt to Israeli attacks across all Lebanese territory and must not grant Israel any freedom of movement.
The sources added that the continued Israeli occupation of Lebanese territories grants Lebanon and its people the right to resist.
Israel and Lebanon held their first direct diplomatic talks since 1993 earlier this week in Washington, with both sides agreeing to launch "direct" negotiations after the meeting.
Lebanese health authorities said Thursday that the cumulative death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the country has risen to 2,196, with 7,185 others injured since March 2.
Trump says Israel, Lebanon to begin 10-day ceasefire
