Shenzhou XV crew returns safely to Earth

Astronauts back after several fruitful experiments, say they feel 'pretty good'

The Shenzhou XV crew returned to Earth on Sunday morning after a six-month mission that witnessed the completion of the Tiangong space station.

A reentry capsule carrying the three astronauts — mission commander Major General Fei Junlong, Senior Colonel Deng Qingming and Senior Colonel Zhang Lu — touched down at the Dongfeng Landing Site in northwestern China's Gobi Desert at 6:33 am after flying for nine hours on a reentry trajectory.

Ground recovery personnel opened the hatch of the capsule and conducted a preliminary examination of the astronauts' condition. The crew members told ground controllers in Beijing via radio that they had landed safely and were "feeling pretty good".