Three astronauts from China returned to Earth on Friday after spending nearly seven months in space, setting a new record for the longest mission by a Chinese crew. The Shenzhou-21 spacecraft landed safely at the Dongfeng landing site in northern China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
Record-breaking mission
The crew, commanded by astronaut Zhang Lu, spent approximately 195 days aboard the Chinese space station, surpassing the previous record for a Chinese crewed mission. During their stay, they conducted various scientific experiments and maintenance tasks.
Zhang Lu was seen waving as he was carried out of the re-entry capsule, appearing in good health. The other two crew members also emerged safely and were taken for medical checks.
China's space ambitions
This mission marks another milestone in China's rapidly advancing space program, which aims to maintain a permanent human presence in orbit and eventually send astronauts to the Moon. The Chinese space station, Tiangong, has been continuously occupied since 2021.
The successful return of the Shenzhou-21 crew underscores China's growing capabilities in human spaceflight and its commitment to long-duration missions.
