3 Chinese astronauts return to earth

Three Chinese astronauts, including a woman, have just returned to Earth on the Shenzhou 9, after successfully performing the first manual connection between the two spacecraft in orbit.

The return of three astronauts, landing on the familiar landing zone in the remote desert of northern China, was broadcast on national television.

The returning compartment of Than Chau 9, the ship left on June 16, touched the ground at about 10am this morning, after being reduced by a large umbrella.

The rescue team quickly surrounded the cabin. Xinhua said the health status of the three astronauts was very good.

Earlier, three astronauts successfully performed China's first hand joint between Shenzhou 9 and Thien Cung 1 in the universe. This is a difficult technique and plays an important role in the process of building a space station, which Beijing plans to complete by 2020.

This technique has been mastered by the Russians and Americans since the 1960s, requiring two spacecraft in orbit of the Earth to fly at speeds of thousands of kilometers per hour, pairing together without destroying each other.

This is the main mission in this mission, this fourth manned mission in China.

Photos of the return trip of three Chinese astronauts: