Two Chinese astronauts conducted their second extravehicular activity in recent days, and for the first time, China has not provided any preliminary information or details about the event. China’s manned spaceflight agency CMSA announced on March 2 that Shenzhou-15 astronauts Fei Junlong and Zhang Lu “recently” spacewalked outside the Tiangong space station.

The operation was supported by team member Deng Qingming from Tiangong and ground crews. No other details were provided, other than how Fei and Zhang used the Wentian science module gateway to exit and enter. Rumors on Chinese social media suggested that the EVA would take place on February 28.

The secrecy surrounding the spacewalk informs that such activities will occur in the near future, unlike previous Tiangong EVAs that the CMSA has released, albeit vaguely. Space officials have released timelines of key EVA events and listed missions for Shenzhou-15’s first spacewalk, just three weeks ago on Feb. Chinese state media had previously released footage of the EVA.

It’s unclear why the CMSA hasn’t released details of the latest action. The agency is controlled by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and thus traditionally closely guards even basic information on astronaut troops. The lack of transparency may be perceived as a nuisance by other field participants.

“Chinese authorities are not doing themselves a favor by not providing enough transparency about manned space flights,” SpaceNews said. Bleddyn Bowen is Associate Professor at the University of Leicester specializing in space policy and the military use of space.

“Daily manned space operations with little or no security or military significance can be more openly reported and talked about if they are to be perceived as a more traditional space power.

“Chinese officials need to get used to being honest about delays and unforeseen problems, as some other space powers have done.”

Astrophysicist and spaceflight observer Jonathan McDowell agreed, noting that even Soviet officials always set the start time and duration of spacewalks. “There is no plausible reason for China to be so secretive,” McDowell said by email.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said at the International Space Congress last September that the lack of transparency is a problem in China’s space activities.

China is undergoing a change in key government posts ahead of the annual parliamentary session of the National People’s Congress, which begins Sunday. Sensitivity to future changes may play a role in privacy in this case.

However, information about China’s space activities is often closely guarded. China’s first astronaut in space and the CMSA’s deputy chief designer, Yang Liwei, recently told Chinese state media that two crew members and reservists have been selected for the Shenzhou-16 and Shenzhou-17 missions, which are scheduled to launch in May and November, respectively.

However, unlike the more open and transparent implementation around the world, no names were mentioned. China often reveals the crew’s identities at carefully arranged press conferences the day before launch.

The people involved in the third round of astronaut selection in 2020 have not yet been announced. New astronauts may have already completed basic training and be ready to be selected for future missions. For the first time, engineers and payload specialists were recruited, while previous rounds only recruited Air Force pilots. At the end of last year, the fourth qualifying round started.