China's Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship separated from the country's space station combination on Sunday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
The separation occurred at 16:12, and astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu are returning to Earth. Prior to the separation, the Shenzhou-18 crew, supported by ground staff, completed various tasks, including setting the status of the space station, processing and transmitting experimental data, and transferring remaining supplies.
The crew then conducted a handover with the Shenzhou-19 team, launched on October 30, which includes astronauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong, and Wang Haoze, embarking on a six-month mission aboard the space station.
The Shenzhou-18 spacecraft is now autonomously orbiting Earth at an altitude of approximately 390 kilometers. It will complete about five more orbits before separating from orbit 7.5 hours later, continuing the \"rapid return mode\" first implemented by the Shenzhou-13 mission.
After departing from the Chinese space station, Shenzhou-18 will undergo a series of maneuvers: braking to de-orbit, free gliding, re-entering the atmosphere, and landing with a parachute. The entire descent process from braking to landing takes roughly 50 minutes.
All astronauts are reported to be in good health, and the spacecraft is functioning normally, ensuring that the return procedures are proceeding smoothly.
Reference(s):
China's Shenzhou-18 separates from space station combination
cgtn.com
