A Shenzhou-17 taikonaut during an extravehicular repair mission, March 2, 2024. /CFP
A Shenzhou-17 taikonaut during an extravehicular repair mission, March 2, 2024. /CFP
China’s Shenzhou-17 crew is scheduled to return to the Dongfeng landing site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on April 30, the China Manned Space Agency announced on Wednesday at a press conference.
The Shenzhou-17 crew have carried out 84 in-orbit experiments and tests for space application, producing more than 200 samples in multiple fields such as space life science and biotechnology, space medicine, and space material science. The samples will return with the Shenzhou-17 spacecraft, and are expected to realize a number of important scientific applications after undergoing scientific studies.
Previously, the cable of the Tianhe core module’s solar panels was hit by space debris, causing a partial loss in power supply. In response, the Shenzhou-17 crew carried out two extravehicular activities, completing China’s first-ever extravehicular repair mission.
The crew will complete an in-orbit handover with their Shenzhou-18 peers before their return to Earth.