ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Three Chinese astronauts have safely returned to Earth after completing a six-month mission aboard China’s Tiangong space station, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s space exploration efforts. ([3 astronauts return to Earth after 6 months on China’s space station
Delayed Return Due to Weather Conditions
The astronauts—Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong, and Wang Haoze—landed in Dongfeng, Inner Mongolia, following a one-day delay caused by adverse weather conditions, including strong winds and low visibility. The return capsule, equipped with a red-and-white striped parachute, touched down in the Gobi Desert, with state media capturing the descent and landing.
Mission Highlights
During their time aboard the Tiangong space station, the crew conducted 86 scientific experiments, including tests on bricks made from simulated lunar soil, which are part of China’s plans to construct a lunar research station by 2035. Additionally, astronauts Cai and Song set a new record for the longest spacewalk by Chinese astronauts, lasting nine hours.
Crew Profiles
– *Cai Xuzhe*: A 48-year-old former air force pilot and mission commander, Cai has accumulated over 200 days in space across two missions. He previously served aboard Tiangong during the Shenzhou-14 mission in 2022. ([2nd LD-Writethru-Xinhua Headlines: Chinese astronauts return safely with six-month space station mission accomplished
– *Song Lingdong*: At 34, Song is a first-time astronaut and former air force pilot.
– *Wang Haoze*: A 35-year-old spaceflight engineer, Wang was China’s only female astronaut at the time of launch. She is also a first-time space traveler. ([China says it’s ready to launch the next crew to its orbiting space station early Wednesday
Looking Ahead
The Shenzhou-19 mission is part of China’s broader ambitions in space exploration, which include plans to land a crewed mission on the Moon by 2030 and to establish a permanent lunar base. The successful return of the Shenzhou-19 crew underscores China’s growing capabilities in manned spaceflight.
