Wed Apr 30 07:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Chinese Astronauts Return to Earth After Six-Month Space Station Mission

**Beijing, April 30, 2025** – Three Chinese astronauts successfully landed back on Earth today, concluding a six-month mission aboard China’s Tiangong space station. The crew, consisting of Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong, and Wang Haoze, touched down in the Dongfeng region of Inner Mongolia after a one-day delay due to inclement weather.

The astronauts’ return marks a significant milestone for China’s burgeoning space program. Launched in October 2024 aboard the Shenzhou-19 mission, the crew conducted extensive experiments and upgrades to the Tiangong station, including a record-breaking nine-hour spacewalk by Cai and Song. Before their departure, they handed over control of the station to a newly arrived crew on April 29th. The Shenzhou-20 mission delivered the new crew and vital equipment for ongoing research in space life sciences, microgravity physics, and advanced technologies.

The Tiangong space station, entirely built by China, represents a significant achievement in space exploration, particularly in light of the country’s previous exclusion from the International Space Station. China’s ambitious space program continues to expand, with recent successes including a Mars landing and a lunar rover mission on the far side of the moon. The nation has set its sights on landing a person on the moon before 2030. The program, overseen by the People’s Liberation Army, solidifies China’s position as a major player in the global space race.

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