Chinese astronauts prepare for first spacewalk of Shenzhou XIX mission

The crew aboard China's Tiangong space station is preparing for its first spacewalk in the coming days, the China Manned Space Agency said on Monday.

The three astronauts — Shenzhou XIX mission commander Senior Colonel Cai Xuzhe, Lieutenant Colonel Song Lingdong, and Lieutenant Colonel Wang Haoze—have been aboard the station for 48 days since their arrival on Oct 30.

In a brief statement, the agency said the astronauts have completed various tasks, including station maintenance, spacesuit checks, emergency response drills, and medical aid rehearsals.

"The crew members are in good spirits, and the Tiangong space station remains in stable condition. All necessary preparations for extravehicular activity have been completed," the agency said.

Cai and his team are the eighth crew to live aboard the Tiangong station, one of the largest orbiting outposts ever deployed. The crew is expected to return to Earth in late April or early May.