The three Chinese astronauts of the Shenzhou-21 mission returned to Earth on Friday after spending nearly seven months aboard China's Tiangong space station, according to Chinese state media.
The crew, consisting of astronauts Zhang Hongzhang, Wu Fei and Zhang Lu, are reportedly in good health after landing.
The mission was launched on October 31, 2025, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. The spacecraft lifted off aboard a Long March-2F rocket towards the Tiangong space station.
This mission is part of the accelerated development of China's space program, as Beijing seeks to strengthen its presence in space in the face of competition from the United States and Russia. China is also pursuing its plans for crewed lunar missions and long-term space exploration.
The Tiangong station, built entirely by China, has become a symbol of the country's space ambitions since its completion in 2022.
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