Shenzhou XX crew complete second spacewalk outside Tiangong station

With support from ground controllers and the use of a robotic arm, the team completed all their assigned tasks, including installing space debris shields, checking the condition of extravehicular equipment and fixing broken parts, the agency said.

They also installed foot restraints and interface adapters on the extravehicular work platform, which are designed to improve astronauts' operational efficiency during spacewalks. Subsequent spacewalks are expected to be shortened by approximately 40 minutes as a result, the agency said.

The spacewalk was the 22nd that Chinese astronauts have carried out, and marked the fifth time Chen Dong has floated outside the Chinese space station. He previously took part in three spacewalks during the Shenzhou XIV mission and was part of the Shenzhou XX's first spacewalk.