Shenzhou-14 taikonauts prepare for 2nd spacewalk

The three Shenzhou-14 taikonauts have completed their first 100 days in orbit as they prepare for their second spacewalk outside China's planned space station.

To mark the first 100 days of what will be a six-month mission, the China Manned Space Agency shared several photos on social media platforms this week. It showed the trio testing spacesuits, playing with food, and doing physical exercises in the challenging microgravity conditions on board the core module Tianhe and lab module Wentian.

Two taikonauts, Chen Dong and Liu Yang, emerged from the space station on Sept. 2 to perform tasks. The third taikonaut, Cai Xuzhe, provided support inside the cabin. They completed tasks such as installing additional pumps and lifting a panoramic camera on the lab module.

They also became the first Chinese people to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival in space, a traditional event symbolizing family reunions.

All is going well for the crew, who have been preparing for their next spacewalk, said the Chinese space agency on the microblogging site Sina Weibo.

The Shenzhou-14 crew has been in space since June 5. During the second half of their six-month stay in orbit, they will oversee the arrival of the other lab module Mengtian and be involved in the first Chinese space station crew handover when the Shenzhou-15 crew arrives.