Core Insights - The Shenzhou-20 mission successfully completed its third extravehicular activity (EVA) on August 15, with astronaut Chen Dong wearing the space station's extravehicular suit B, which has now supported 20 EVAs, achieving China's goal of "4 years and 20 times" for suit longevity [1] - The suit has been used by 11 astronauts across 8 manned missions, demonstrating stable performance and providing strong support for the operational tasks of the space station [1] - The space station's extravehicular suit has significantly improved functionality and performance compared to the first-generation suits, enhancing longevity, safety, and operational efficiency [1] - As of early 2024, the extravehicular suit is approaching the design limit of "3 years and 15 times" for in-orbit use, necessitating a scientific approach to assess its remaining lifespan [1] - A health monitoring and lifespan assessment plan has been developed to ensure the safety and reliability of the suit during its in-orbit usage [1] - Two new extravehicular suits D and E have been successfully unpacked and tested, ready for future EVA tasks [2]

Core Points - The successful launch of the Tianzhou-9 cargo spacecraft using the Long March 7 rocket marks a significant achievement in China's space station supply missions [1][3] - Tianzhou-9 set a new record for cargo weight, carrying approximately 6.5 tons of supplies, including materials for astronauts, space station systems, and various scientific experiments [3][5] - The mission demonstrated enhanced emergency launch capabilities, with Tianzhou-9 being prepared for a three-month emergency launch window [3][4] Launch and Docking - The Long March 7 rocket completed its 10th flight, while the Tianzhou-9 mission achieved a rapid autonomous docking with the Chinese space station in just three hours [3][4] - This three-hour docking mode has become a standard for cargo spacecraft, improving reliability and reducing the requirements for launch conditions and precision [4] Scientific Experiments - The mission included 23 scientific experiments across various fields, such as life sciences, material sciences, and fluid dynamics, with a total of 776.5 kilograms of experimental materials sent to the space station [5][6] - Key experiments focus on the effects of microgravity on human cells and materials, aiming to enhance understanding of physiological and pathological processes [5][6][9] Equipment and Supplies - Tianzhou-9 delivered new equipment, including two sets of upgraded extravehicular suits, which will extend their operational lifespan from 3 years and 15 missions to 4 years and 20 missions [7][8] - The mission also included new exercise equipment designed to prevent muscle atrophy in astronauts during long-duration space missions [7][8] Food and Nutrition - The variety of space food has been expanded, adding nearly 30 new dishes, bringing the total to over 190 types, and extending the flight food cycle from 7 days to 10 days [9]