After a six-month mission aboard China's Tiangong space station, astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu have safely returned to Earth on Sunday, November 3rd. Their Shenzhou 18 spacecraft touched down at the Dongfeng landing site in north China at approximately 12:24 p.m. EST (1724 GMT or 12:24 a.m. on November 4th Beijing time).
The China Manned Space Agency confirmed that all three astronauts are in good health following their descent. This landing marked the second time astronauts have returned to Dongfeng during nighttime hours. Observation and rescue teams utilized infrared thermal imagers to track the capsule's descent.
During their time on Tiangong, the crew conducted a variety of scientific experiments, including research on ancient microbes. Notably, they performed a record-breaking spacewalk in May, followed by another in June to install protective shielding against space debris. Commander Ye also achieved a significant milestone, becoming the first Chinese astronaut to surpass 365 days in space, having previously participated in the Shenzhou 13 mission in 2021-2022.
The successful return of the Shenzhou 18 crew marks another milestone in China's ambitious space program, demonstrating its continued commitment to scientific exploration and technological advancement. The story is from Xinhua.