Shenzhou 9 separated from Tiangong 1
- China.org.cn, June 28, 2012
Shenzhou 9 spacecraft has been successfully separated from Tiangong 1 lab module by manual operation Thursday morning, making preparation for the return of the manned spacecraft on Friday.
Shenzhou 9 spaceraft will return to the Earth around 10 a.m. Friday, a spokesperson of China's manned space program announced Thursday.
![This screen shot taken on June 26, 2012 shows the Chinese astronauts who are conducting scientific tests in Tiangong 1 space lab module waving hands. Chinese President Hu Jintao came to the Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Tuesday and talked with the astronauts. [Xinhua]](http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20120628/001372acd0b5115609480b.jpg "This screen shot taken on June 26, 2012 shows the Chinese astronauts who are conducting scientific tests in Tiangong 1 space lab module waving hands. Chinese President Hu Jintao came to the Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Tuesday and talked with the astronauts. [Xinhua]") |
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This screen shot taken on June 26, 2012 shows the Chinese astronauts who are conducting scientific tests in Tiangong 1 space lab module waving hands. Chinese President Hu Jintao came to the Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Tuesday and talked with the astronauts. [Xinhua] |
The separation was the first time for China's spacecraft and target module to be disjoined by manual operation.
The three Chinese astronauts returned to Shenzhou 9 spacecraft from Tiangong 1 lab module at 6 a.m. Thursday, to prepare for the manual separation attempt.
Liu Wang conducted the manual operation to separate Shenzhou 9 spacecraft and the orbiting Tiangong 1. He will continue manual operation and steer the spacecraft to a safety distance.