The trio of Chinese astronauts, or taikonauts, is wrapping up their space mission after completing two extravehicular activities and other planned tasks during their three months in space since mid-June.

The trio is expected to head back to their home on Earth in mid-September. However, in the following weeks, a slew of tasks still need to be accomplished before they can relax.

Taikonauts need to clean up the spacesuits after every extravehicular activity, including ventilating, cleansing, drying up, cleaning the micro-organisms and changing the consumables.

Wang Chunhui, a department chief at the Astronaut Center of China, said, "The spacesuits are designed to be able to use for three years, including 15 times of extravehicular activities." In addition, the cleanup process could help the suits be more durable for the missions.

Still, a team on the ground sets up daily physical exercises plans for each crew member in the space before their return to help them quickly adapt to the Earth's environment.

The crewmates will also undergo inventory check in the China Space Station, making it convenient for next taikonauts to know where to find what they need. They will set up some equipment and functions as well to prepare for future missions.

Before returning to Earth, the Shenzhou-12 spacecraft will also carry out orbiting and radial rendezvous tests to prepare for the Shenzhou-13 mission. 

(The infographics by Liu Shaozhen)