Are Professor Gui Haichao and Associate Professor Zhu Yangzhu both Class 4 astronauts?
According to public information inquiries, it was learned that Zhu Yangzhu was a "fourth-level astronaut of the astronaut brigade of the Chinese People's Liberation Army", but there was no personal profile and relevant reports that Professor Gui Haichao was also a fourth-level astronaut. My personal understanding is that: 1. It may have to do with whether or not you have a military status; 2. It may also have something to do with whether you are a full-time astronaut.
In the profile, Zhu Yangzhu is a "full-time astronaut of the astronaut brigade of the Chinese People's Liberation Army", and Gui Haichao is "a professor and doctoral supervisor of Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and the third batch of astronauts in China". It can be seen that Professor Gui Haichao's current profession is a "university professor", and astronauts are his "part-time job".
But judging from the attire of Professor Gui Haichao after returning to Earth, he and Zhu Yangzhu's attire is completely identical, with "one star" on his chest, while Jing Haipeng is "four stars", representing one flight and four flights respectively. (Below)
Of course, after returning to Earth after the successful implementation of the Shenzhou-16 mission this time, Zhu Yangzhu will be upgraded to a third-level astronaut, and Professor Gui Haichao should also have the corresponding title.
One star astronaut Gui Haichao
One star astronaut Zhu Yangzhu
Four-star astronaut Jing Haipeng
Will Professor Gui Haichao be awarded the "Heroic Astronaut" and the "Medal of Meritorious Service for Aerospace Meritorious Service of the Third Class"?
According to the usual practice, the honorary title of Shenzhou-16 astronaut will be awarded soon, and then the award ceremony will be held at the right time. At that time, the astronauts who flew into space once will be awarded the "Heroic Astronaut" and the "Medal of Meritorious Service for Aerospace Flight of the Third Class". For example, on September 25, 2023, the astronauts of Shenzhou 12, Shenzhou 13, Shenzhou 14, and Shenzhou 15 held a centralized award ceremony, and all astronauts of these four crews were awarded relevant honors.
2023.9.25 Shenzhou 12~15 Astronaut Title Award Conference
What honors will the three astronauts of Shenzhou-16 be awarded?
Jing Haipeng has flown four times, he is already a "heroic astronaut" and a winner of the "First Class Aerospace Meritorious Service Medal", I personally think that if Jing Haipeng is awarded again, there is a high probability that he will be awarded the highest honor - "Aerospace Hero" and "Aerospace Meritorious Service Medal" (on behalf of the special grade).
In the future, Zhu Yangzhu will definitely receive relevant honors for the "Aerospace Heroes" and the "First, Second, and Third Class Aerospace Meritorious Service Medals" awarded by the military and military representatives at the highest level. So, if Professor Gui Haichao had not been in the military at that time, would he have received these two honors? Personally, I think it should be fine.
As an astronaut, the merits of everyone in the Shenzhou-16 "Doctoral Crew" are very great, and Professor Gui Haichao deserves the relevant honors, which is very worth looking forward to.
Follow-up: At the meeting of Professor Gui Haichao on the 19th, he changed the salute ceremony when he set out on the expedition, from "beckoning" to "military salute". Note the following two pictures, the changes in the way Professor Gui Haichao salutes before and after his return.
The Shenzhou-16 astronauts made their first collective appearance before the expedition
The Shenzhou-16 astronauts made their collective debut after returning to Earth
China's space station is always worth looking forward to, salute all the flying heroes and heroic astronauts!
Note: The above is purely personal opinion and speculation analysis, everything is subject to official news!