Three Chinese astronauts returned to Earth on Monday after a six-month stay at the Tiangong space station.
The Shenzhou-18 crew, which included astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangxu, landed at 1:24 am in Inner Mongolia.
The Chinese government broadcaster Xinhua reported that all three astronauts are in good health and called the mission a success.
During their stay in space, the astronauts conducted dozens of experiments in space medicine, fundamental physics and space life sciences, Xinhua reported.
The astronauts are returning after last week welcoming a three-person crew replacement for another six-month stay.
The new team of one woman and two men will conduct experiments, perform spacewalks and install equipment to protect the station from space debris.
The Tiangong space station was completed two years ago and orbits the Earth.
China has been blocked from participating in the International Space Station program, which is traveled by astronauts from other countries, due to US concerns about the military’s involvement in the country’s space program.
So far, only Chinese astronauts have been on the Chinese space station, but a space agency spokesman said they are negotiating the selection and training of astronauts from other countries, Chinese government broadcaster Xinhua reported.
The missions to the space station fit into China’s broader aspirations to become a leader in space research by 2050 and to land a man on the moon by 2030.
