The three astronauts of the Shenzhou-19 crewed mission are readapting smoothly to Earth's gravity after returning from space, with full gravity adjustment expected within hours, said an official at the China Astronaut Research and Training Center on Wednesday.
The return capsule of the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship, carrying astronauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze, touched down at the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Wednesday.
The three astronauts are all in good health, according to the China Manned Space Agency.
"According to our assessment, all three astronauts are in excellent health, with their gravity readapting proceeding smoothly. Currently, they are undergoing further medical examinations in three separate medical monitoring vehicles, including thorough physical exams, electrocardiograms, ultrasounds, imaging studies, and the assessment of body fluid and physiological indicators," said Xu Chong, the official.
Upon returning to Earth, the astronauts' immediate priority is to re-adapt to gravity. Xu explained the time needed for this critical physiological adjustment process.
"Overall, the astronauts' readapting to gravity is actually a very rapid process. From the moment the return capsule touches down on Earth, the various organ systems of the astronauts start to swiftly adjust to the gravitational environment. Whether in the return capsule, or just outside it, including inside the current medical monitoring vehicles, the astronauts' different organ systems further adapt to gravity. Therefore, it can be said that the entire rapid adaptation process typically takes place within a few hours. Upon returning to Beijing, within a day or two, the astronauts' orthostatic tolerance, muscle coordination, and balance function will undergo further recovery," Xu said.
The three astronauts are scheduled to arrive in Beijing on Wednesday, where they will immediately begin an isolation recovery period.
The Shenzhou-19 crew was sent into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Oct 30, 2024. Prior to the return, the crew handed over the space station to the Shenzhou-20 astronauts who got on board on Friday.
Shenzhou-19 astronauts re-adapt smoothly to Earth's gravity: official
