The mission marks the end of China’s verification of key space station technologies and also sets a record for the duration of Chinese astronauts in orbit, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said. The Shenzhou-13 return capsule carrying astronauts Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping and Ye Guangfu crashed at Dongfeng Landing Point in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of northern China at 9:56 a.m. (Beijing time). The Shenzhou-13 manned mission was a complete success, the CMSA announced. The return capsule was separated from the capsule in the spacecraft orbit at 9:06 a.m. under the administration of the Beijing Aerospace Control Center. The brake motor of the return capsule started at 9:30 a.m. followed by separation of the return capsule from the propulsion capsule. After the return capsule successfully landed, the search ground team arrived at the landing point. The medical staff confirmed that the astronauts were in good health after the hatch of the return capsule was opened. The Shenzhou-13 spacecraft was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on October 16, 2021 and later docked at the core unit of the Tianhe space station. After mooring, the three astronauts entered the central unit and began their six-month stay in space. During the mission, the crew performed EVAs twice. They conducted a number of scientific and technological experiments, including manual remote operation and unit transfer supported by the robotic arm. They verified critical technologies for the construction and operation of the space station to support the long-term stay of astronauts, the recycling and life support system, the supply of space materials, off-vehicle activities and operations, and orbital maintenance. Crew members also delivered two live lessons from the space station and performed a range of activities including popularization of science.
