Chinese astronauts Fei Junlong, Deng Qingming, and Zhang Lu have successfully completed their six-month mission on China's Tiangong space station and returned safely to Earth.
According to reports from Chinese media, the Shenzhou-15 spacecraft carrying the astronauts touched down at the Dongfeng landing site in China's Inner Mongolia region on Saturday, June 3, marking the end of their historic journey.
This mission, hailed as a "complete success," further solidifies China's presence in space exploration.
Historic Space Endeavor
Space.com reports that the Shenzhou 15 crew, led by mission commander Fei Junlong, embarked on their mission on November 29, launching from Jiuquan in northwest China.
They were part of the first-ever crew handover on the Tiangong space station, taking over control from the Shenzhou 14 crew in early December.
The crew then welcomed the incoming Shenzhou 16 astronauts on May 29, marking another milestone for China's rapidly advancing space program.
Upon their return, Fei expressed his satisfaction with the mission's outcome: "We are feeling good."
According to the China Manned Space Agency, he and his crewmates emerged from the return capsule in good physical condition.
This mission was particularly significant for Deng Qingming, who had been waiting nearly 26 years since being selected as one of China's first batch of astronauts in 1997.
Deng shared his gratitude for the experience, emphasizing the power of dreams and persistence.
Successful Spacewalks, Experiments
Chinese news agency Xinhua reports that during their time aboard the Tiangong space station, the Shenzhou 15 crew conducted four spacewalks, setting a national record.
A wide range of scientific experiments and outreach activities complemented these extravehicular activities.
The Straits Times reports that some notable tests included the use of a two-photon microscope to image an astronaut's skin, testing a free-piston Stirling thermoelectric converter, and conducting experiments in the combustion chamber.
The Tiangong space station boasts two science modules equipped with various experiment racks to facilitate groundbreaking research.
What's Next?
As the Shenzhou 15 crew returns to Earth, the new Shenzhou 16 astronauts will continue their mission on the Tiangong space station.
They are expected to remain on board until November, when they will be relieved by the Shenzhou 17 crew. China's long-term objective is to maintain the operational status of the Tiangong space station for at least a decade, ensuring a permanent presence in space exploration.
China's significant investments in its space program reflect its ambition to catch up with established space powers like the United States and Russia.
Beijing has set its sights on sending a crewed mission to the Moon by 2030 and establishing a lunar base in the future. With successful missions like Shenzhou 15, China's space program continues to make impressive strides, expanding humanity's understanding of space and paving the way for future breakthroughs.
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