Chinese Astronauts return home from space

Three Chinese astronauts have returned to Earth after China's most complex and longest mission in orbit.

CHINA'S FIRST FEMALE ASTRONAUT LIU YANG WAVES AS SHE COMES OUT OF THE CHARRED RE-ENTRY CAPSULE OF THE SHENZHOU-9 SPACECRAFT. PICTURE: AP / XINHUA AP

They were hailed as heroes yesterday after taking vital steps in the country's effort to build a space station by 2020.

The 13-day voyage also saw China send a woman into space for the first time, and the nation's leaders celebrated as soon as the crew members emerged from their cramped return capsule smiling and seemingly in good health.

The charred return capsule of the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft, which means Divine Vessel in Chinese, hit the ground in a remote area of northern China and rolled over yesterday morning after an approach slowed by a large parachute.

Read more: Herald Sun

Posted in: Astronauts, China, News, Shenzhou-9, Space, Spacecraft, Women