Chinese historic spacecraft returns to Earth
The country's historic three-day space mission ended today as the shuttle landed in the Mongolian desert
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Sunday, 28, Sep 2008 12:16
China's historic Shenzhou VII has returned to Earth, according to the country's official media.
The Xinhua news agency reported that all three astronauts on board were safe after the vessel landed in the Mongolian desert.
Speaking to the astronauts at the country's Aerospace Control Centre, president Hu Jintao said: "Your country and your fellow citizens thank you for your devotion to the space programme."
Yesterday, the country celebrated a historic feat as 41-year-old cosmonaut Zhai Zhigang emerged from the capsule of the Shenzhou VII spacecraft to conduct a spacewalk.
As he left the shuttle, the 41-year-old cosmonaut said: "I'm feeling quite well. I greet the Chinese people and the people of the world."
Mr Zhigang was part of a three-member crew on the Shenzhou VII rocket which took off for space on Thursday.
The three-day mission was only China's third manned spaceflight and it marked the country's first ever spacewalk.
China launched its first manned mission in October 2003, making it only the third country after the US and Russia to launch humans into space.