Chinese astronauts back to Beijing 11:44, September 29, 2008
Young pioneers present bouquets to Chinese astronauts Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng at the space program headquarters in Beijing's north suburbs, China, on Sept. 29, 2008. The three Chinese astronauts who successfully completed a space journey Sunday came back to Beijing Monday morning. (Xinhua/Chen Jianli) Three Chinese astronauts who successfully completed a space journey Sunday came back to Beijing Monday morning.
The China Central Television (CCTV) reported that the astronauts, Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng, are in good conditions.
After completing China's first human extravehicular activities in space and a few scientific experiments, the team landed Sunday afternoon in north China's Inner Mongolia.
Chinese taikonauts who have successfully completed the country's third manned space mission salute after getting off the plane in Beijing, capital of China, on Sept. 29, 2008.(Xinhua Photo) After arriving at the space program headquarters in Beijing's north suburbs, or the space town, the trio spacemen separately rode on three roofless sedans in a miniature parade.
They are expected to undergo two-week preventive quarantine in the medical facilities in the space town.
Although they have passed brief physical checkup soon after their perfect landing, the astronauts are still vulnerable to viruses on the Earth, says medical experts.
Meanwhile, medical experts are going to thoroughly check their physical and mental health.
Since 2003, China has sent a total of six astronauts into space, including the country's first spaceman Yang Liwei, who is now a major general responsible for astronauts' training, and the first pair Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng.
Chinese taikonauts of Shenzhou-7 space module crew wave to local people who came to see them off in Hohhot, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sept. 29, 2008. A red-carpet ceremony was held here at 6:30 Monday to send off the three astronauts Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng back to Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua Photo)
Chinese taikonauts of Shenzhou-7 space module crew wave to local people who came to see them off in Hohhot, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sept. 29, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)
Chinese taikonaut Zhai Zhigang (C) together with his family waves after getting off the plane in Beijing, capital of China, on Sept. 29, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)
China's first spaceman Yang Liwei (L) congratulates Liu Boming (C), one of the three Chinese taikonauts who have successfully completed the country's third manned space mission at an airport in Beijing, capital of China, on Sept. 29, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)
"Source: Xinhua"