China’s Shenzhou 18 Astronauts Return Safely to Earth After Six-Month Mission

Chinese astronauts aboard Shenzhou 18 returned to Earth on November 3, 2024, following a six-month mission on the Tiangong space station. The three astronauts — Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu — safely landed at the Dongfeng landing site in northern China at approximately 12:24 p.m. EST (1724 GMT). According to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), all astronauts are in good health after their extended stay in space, marking a significant milestone for China’s expanding space program.

Launched in April 2024, the Shenzhou 18 mission was part of China’s effort to maintain and expand its Tiangong space station, completed in late 2022. During their mission, the astronauts performed a series of scientific experiments, including studying ancient microbes and testing advanced protective shielding to protect the station from space debris. This was China’s second successful nighttime landing at Dongfeng, with search and rescue teams using infrared thermal imaging to track and secure the spacecraft’s safe descent.

A key achievement of the mission was Commander Ye Guangfu’s record-breaking spacewalk in May, followed by a second spacewalk in June. These excursions allowed the crew to install protective equipment critical to the station’s long-term operation. Ye, who became the first Chinese astronaut to surpass a cumulative 365 days in space, previously served on the Shenzhou 13 mission in 2021-2022. His achievements reflect China’s rapid progress in human spaceflight, joining the ranks of only a few nations with sustained human presence in orbit.

The mission also included essential emergency drills and maintenance tasks to ensure the safety and functionality of the Tiangong station. The crew captured video footage of China’s major space launch sites, including the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center and the Wenchang spaceport. Their work extended to scientific outreach, providing valuable data and images from their time in orbit, which were shared with the China Manned Space Agency  (CMSA) and the broader scientific community.

In the final days of their mission, the Shenzhou 18 crew welcomed the Shenzhou 19 team, marking a brief but symbolic moment when six astronauts were aboard the Tiangong station simultaneously. On November 1, Ye officially transferred command of Tiangong to Shenzhou 19’s commander Cai Xuzhe in a formal handover ceremony, ensuring continuous operations and marking China’s fifth orbital crew transition since establishing Tiangong.

China’s space agency plans to keep Tiangong staffed and operational for at least another decade. The government has announced ambitious expansion plans for the station, aiming to add three more modules to achieve a double T-shape structure. Additionally, China plans to launch a Hubble-class space telescope into the same orbit as Tiangong, allowing it to dock for maintenance and repairs, thus strengthening China’s role in space exploration and scientific research.