China’s Shenzhou-9 spacecraft have successfully returned to earth after 13-day mission. The spacecraft landed in Inner Mongolia.

China’s Shenzhou 9 spacecraft has ended a mission that put the first woman in space – Liu Yang and completed a manned docking test critical to its goal of building a space station by 2020. Three Chinese astronauts fortunately were back home after being in space for 13 days. The team included 45- year-old Jing Haipeng – the mission commander, 33-year-old Liu Yang – a veteran astronaut and 43-year-old Liu Wang.

China declared the first manned mission to the Tiangong first module — the space program’s longest and most challenging yet — a major step ahead for the country’s ambitious space program.

The Shenzhou-9 parachuted to a landing after mission in space / Jing Haipeng, Liu Wang and the first women in space Liu Yang

Moments after the capsule with a Chinese team landed, ground crew rushed to open the hatch. The astronauts were glad and said: ‘ We have returned, and we feel good. ‘ Jing Haipeng – the mission commander has smiled and waved as he occured from the capsule. Companions astronauts Liu Wang and Liu Yang followed to loud applause.

Chinese Shenzhou-9 space mission marked the first time China has transferred experienced astronauts between 2 orbiting craft, a milestone in an effort to obtain the technological and logistical skills to run a full space station that can house people for long periods.

Chinese space capsule carrying three crew members has returned to Earth / Chinese Shenzhou-9 spacecraft back home

China still lags far behind the space powers of Russia and the United States when it comes to technological expertise. But for the moment, money and impetus are on the side of Chinese Beijing when it comes to space exploration.

The three Chinese astronauts (Jing Haipeng, Liu Wang, Liu Yang) returned to the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft  and performed a manual separation from the space laboratory. They touched down in Inner Mongolia’s Siziwang county, with the capsule deploying a parachute to slow its climb. All the Chinese astronauts were in good health.