China's Shenzhou XIII crewed spacecraft docks with the Tiangong space station in the morning of Oct 16, 2021, with astronauts ready to enter the station to start a six-month journey. (PHOTO/ XINHUA)
BEIJING – China's Shenzhou XIII astronauts are preparing for their return to Earth following the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft's recent separation from the country's space station, according to the China Manned Space Agency.
The core module of China's space station is currently operating steadily
The Shenzhou XIII crew members – Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping and Ye Guangfu – are all in good condition, said the agency, adding that they plan to return to Earth in mid-April.
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On Oct 16, 2021, the Shenzhou XIII mission sent the three taikonauts to the Tiangong space station for a six-month stay – the longest-ever duration in the country's manned space program.
They have completed multiple tasks over the past few months, including two extravehicular activities, two live science lectures, and a number of sci-tech experiments and application projects.
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Chinese astronauts also used manual teleoperation equipment for the first time, operating the cargo craft and the space station for rendezvous and docking.
The core module of China's space station is currently operating steadily.