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Shenzhou-19 Astronauts Return to Earth after Six Months in Space

Wednesday 30 April 2025 - 10:33
Shenzhou-19 Astronauts Return to Earth after Six Months in Space

Three Chinese astronauts have safely returned to Earth after spending six months aboard China’s Tiangong space station, marking another milestone in the nation’s expanding space program. The return, broadcasted by state media, took place on Wednesday as part of China’s broader ambitions to become a global space leader.

Over the past years, China has heavily invested in its space initiatives, with goals including a crewed Moon landing by 2030 and the eventual construction of a lunar base. Just last week, the Shenzhou-20 mission began as a new team of astronauts was launched to the Tiangong station.

The Shenzhou-19 crew Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong, and Wang Haoze successfully completed their mission and landed in the Inner Mongolia region. Their descent capsule, equipped with a red-and-white parachute, was seen landing amid desert dust under a clear blue sky, as shown by Chinese state television.

Since October, the trio conducted various scientific experiments and achieved the record for China’s longest spacewalk. Their scheduled return on Tuesday was delayed due to unfavorable weather conditions at the landing zone, according to the Chinese Manned Space Agency.

Among the crew, Wang Haoze, 35, stood out as China’s only female spaceflight engineer at the time of departure. Cai Xuzhe, 48, a veteran air force pilot and former Shenzhou-14 crew member, served as mission commander. Song Lingdong, 34, also an ex-air force pilot, rounded out the team known in China as “taikonauts.”


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