Three Chinese astronauts successfully return to Earth

AFP || Shining BD

Published: 6/4/2023 6:20:36 AM

State media reported on Sunday that three Chinese astronauts working at the country's space station have returned to Earth safely, deeming the mission a "complete success."

The return capsule of the Shenzhou-15 spacecraft landed in the northern Chinese region of Inner Mongolia, according to the state-run news agency Xinhua.

Xinhua reported that astronauts Fei Junlong, Deng Qingming, and Zhang Lu emerged from the capsule in "good physical condition."
"The mission... was a complete success," it stated.

Medical personnel in white jumpsuits and face masks were seen wrapping the astronauts in blue blankets and carrying them away from the arid landing site, where the copper-colored capsule lay surrounded by red flags.

The three astronauts had spent six months at the Tiangong space station conducting a variety of scientific experiments and spacewalks.

As part of the Shenzhou-16 mission, China sent three additional astronauts, including its first civilian in orbit, to the space station last week.

In an effort to catch up to the United States and Russia, the second-largest economy in the world has invested billions of dollars in its military-run space program.

By 2030, China intends to send a crewed mission to the Moon and build a base on its surface.

Shining BD