China's Shenzhou-18 separates from space station combination

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Video footage shows China's Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship separated from the space station combination, November 3, 2024. /China Manned Space Engineering Office

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. Before the separation, the Shenzhou-18 crew, with support from ground staff, completed various tasks, including setting the status of the space station combination, processing and transmitting experimental data, and transferring remaining supplies, according to the CMSA.

Then they conducted a handover with the Shenzhou-19 crew, which was launched on October 30, sending three astronauts – Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze – for another six-month mission aboard the space station.

The Shenzhou-18 manned spacecraft is now autonomously orbiting the Earth at an altitude of approximately 390 kilometers above the ground. It will orbit the Earth approximately five times before separating from orbit 7.5 hours later. This mission continues to use the "rapid return mode" first implemented by the Shenzhou-13 spacecraft.

Following its departure from the Chinese space station, the Shenzhou-18 maneuvers through a series of stages: braking to de-orbit, free gliding, reentering the atmosphere, and landing with a parachute. The entire process from braking to landing takes about 50 minutes.

Currently, all astronauts are in good health, and the spacecraft is functioning normally. The return procedures are proceeding smoothly.