Chinese astronauts descend to earth after six-month mission
December 12, 2022
After the Chinese astronauts departed earth on June 5 to oversee the final construction of the Tiangong space station, three astronauts touch back down to China’s autonomous region of Inner Mongolia on Dec. 4.
Liu Yang, Cai Xuzhe, and commander Chen Dong were carried out by staff on-site around 20:00 LT, nine hours after they were undocked. They were gleaming and reported to be in good condition. According to CCTV audio and BBC, the crew felt well after they landed.
According to ABCnews, “I am very fortunate to have witnessed the completion of the basic structure of the Chinese space station after six busy and fulfilling months in space,” Chen said.
Yang was also in high spirits on her return to her homeland, she viewed her six months in space to be an unforgettable memory. All the astronauts were highly excited to see friends and family once again. China’s space agency also declared the mission a success.
On the Tiangong station, the crew oversaw five rendezvous and dockings of various spacecraft, one of which carried the third of the Tiangong’s three modules. They also beamed live science lectures, performed three spacewalks, and conducted various experiments.
“Officials are reported to be considering an eventual crewed mission to the moon, although no timeline has been offered,” ABCnews said.