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Phoenix666 [soylentnews.org] writes:

China's Shenzhou-11 spacecraft returned to earth Friday [phys.org], bringing home two astronauts from the rising power's longest-ever orbital mission in a milestone for its vaulting ambitions.

China's state broadcaster CCTV showed the return capsule's separation from the Tiangong-2 space lab 393 kilometres (244 miles) above the earth, and its descent through the atmosphere to its landing on the grassland of Inner Mongolia.

After it landed, ground personnel rushed to plant two flapping red flags beside the capsule while observers applauded in China's mission control.

CCTV did not show the men emerging, but said they had been taken to a space centre by helicopter, and the official Xinhua news agency said they were in good health.

The manned space programme's commander in chief Zhang Youxia announced that the mission was a "complete success".

Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong spent the 33-day mission orbiting the earth carrying out experiments including cultivating silkworms, growing lettuce, and testing brain activity.

Congratulations to China on a successful mission.

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