Chinese astronauts return to Earth after six-month stay at space station

The three astronauts of the Shenzhou-18 mission safely returned to the Dongfeng landing center in the Gobi Desert, north China’s Inner Mongolia province, after spending six months on the space station. Chinathe Tiangong.

Shenzhou-18 spacecraft return capsule successfully landed, with astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu inside.

The Chinese Manned Mission Space Agency reported that The three “taikonauts” (as astronauts are known in the Asian giant) were in good health, while ensuring that the mission “has been a success.”

Before their departure, the Shenzhou-18 crew took over the space station from the members of Shenzhou-19, whose three members arrived at Tiangong on October 30.

Components of the Shenzhou-18 mission arrived at Tiangong last April, becoming the third crew to board it after its construction was completed in late 2022.

A period of around six months is estimated for astronauts who have participated in long-term space missions to return to normal physical condition and resume training.

Tiangong, which will operate for about ten years, is likely to become the world’s only space station starting this year if the International Space Stationan initiative led by USA and to which China is banned from access due to the military ties of its space program, it is withdrawing as planned.

China has invested heavily in its space program and has managed to land the Chang’e 4 probe on the far side of the Moon – the first time this has been achieved – and reach for the first time Marsbecoming the third country – after the United States and the defunct Soviet Union – to “martize.”