China’s Shenzhou-18 spacecraft made a dramatic return to Earth, concluding a successful six-month mission aboard the Tiangong space station.

The crew, consisting of astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu, undocked from the space station before experiencing a fiery re-entry, during which the propulsion module broke apart.

Despite this intense descent, the crew landed safely in the Dongfeng area near Jiuquan Spaceport at approximately 12:00 p.m. EST.

The Shenzhou-18 mission was notable for its extensive scientific contributions, including groundbreaking experiments in microgravity and a series of spacewalks.

The astronauts conducted research on ancient microbes and other biological studies that are expected to enhance our understanding of life in space. Notably, Ye Guangfu achieved a significant milestone as he became China’s first astronaut to surpass 365 days in space across multiple missions.

As the capsule descended through the atmosphere, bright flames were visible as it re-entered, a reminder of the challenges of space travel. The propulsion module’s disintegration raised concerns but did not affect the safety of the crew or their capsule.

Recovery teams were on standby and utilized advanced infrared thermal imaging technology to locate and assist the astronauts upon landing.

After exiting the capsule, the astronauts were greeted by jubilant recovery teams and quickly transported to Beijing for a thorough debriefing. Their successful return shows China’s growing capabilities in human spaceflight and its commitment to advancing scientific research in low Earth orbit.

The arrival comes days after the Shenzhou-19 crew arrived at the Chinese station for a six-month mission. 

Source: India Today