18 Chinese astronauts from Shenzhou returned to Earth after 6 months in space (video)

The crew of the Chinese spacecraft Shenzhou 18 returned home after more than six months in space.

Astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Kong and Li Guangsu lived on board the Chinese ship. Tiangong Space Station from April 25 this year. They completed their mission on Sunday (November 3), landing at the Dongfeng landing site in northern China.

The landing occurred at approximately 12:24 pm EST (17:24 GMT or 12:24 pm on November 4 Beijing time). All three astronauts are healthy, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

Connected: China sent three astronauts to the Tiangong space station as part of the Shenzhou-19 mission (video)

China's Shenzhou 18 spacecraft carrying astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Kong and Li Guangsu is seen at the Dongfeng landing site in northern China after landing from the Tiangong space station on Sunday, November 3, 2024.

China’s Shenzhou 18 spacecraft carrying astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Kong and Li Guangsu is seen at the Dongfeng landing site in northern China after landing from the Tiangong space station on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Image credit: CCTV)

This was the second time that astronauts had landed in Dongfeng at night. Observation and search and rescue teams used infrared thermal imaging cameras to track the capsule.

Before leaving the space station, Commander Ye and his teammates conducted a series of scientific experiments. time on board the Tiangong, including study of ancient microbes. They complied national spacewalk record outside the space station in May, and went on another flight in June to install protective shielding against space debris. Ye also recently became the first Chinese astronaut to spend a total of 365 days in space, having previously been part of the Shenzhou 13 mission in 2021-2022.

The trio also held emergency drills And filmed video The Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert, from which they launched in April, and the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Hainan Island, from which the Tiangong modules were launched.

The trio welcomed the arriving Shenzhou 19 crew aboard the Tiangong on Oct. 30, meaning six Chinese astronauts were briefly in space. On November 1, Commander Ye officially handed over control of the orbital outpost to Shenzhou 19 commander Cai Xiuzhe. The official ceremony marked the fifth such orbital transfer in China since the completion of the three-module space station in late 2022.

China intends to retain Tiangong, which is about 20% smaller in size than China. International Space Stationpermanently occupied and active for at least ten years. Officials have recently unveiled expansion plans The space station was given a double T-shape, adding three new modules. He will also send Hubble-class space telescope into the same orbit, which will allow it to dock with Tiangong for maintenance and repairs.

18 Chinese astronauts from Shenzhou returned to Earth after 6 months in space (video)

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