After completing China’s longest manned space mission, the three astronauts of the Shenzhou-13 spacecraft returned to planet Earth, spent six months on the space station and returned safely to Earth on Saturday.
With this operation, China has completed the verification of key technologies of its space station and also sets a record for the duration of Chinese astronauts in orbit, the China Manned Space Flight Agency (CMSA, for its English acronym) reported.
Astronaut Zhai Zhigang climbs out of the return capsule of the Shenzhou-13 spacecraft at the Dongfeng landing site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Photo: XINHUA
The Xinhua Agency reported that the Shenzhou-13 return capsule carrying astronauts Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping and Ye Guangfu landed in Dongfeng, north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, at 9:00 a.m. 56 (Beijing local time).
After the return pod successfully landed, the ground search team arrived at the landing site. Medical personnel confirmed that the astronauts were in good health after opening the return pod’s hatch, the agency added.
On October 16, 2021, the Shenzhou-13 spacecraft was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. It was then docked with the core module of the Tianhe Space Station.
During these months, the crew twice conducted activities outside the vehicle and conducted a series of scientific and technological experiments, including manual remote control and the transfer of modules with the assistance of the robotic arm.
In addition, they verified technologies critical to the construction and operation of the space station to support extended stays of astronauts, the recycling and life support system, the delivery of space materials, off-vehicle activities and operations, and in-orbit maintenance.
The crew members also gave two classes live from the space station and conducted a range of activities including popular science activities, Xinhua said.