Shenzhou-21 astronauts return to Earth with critical scientific samples

The crew of China's Shenzhou-21 space mission have brought back a trove of valuable scientific samples, including highly anticipated artificial embryo samples, for further research into the effects of the space environment on human development.

The three astronauts of China's Shenzhou-21 mission returned to Earth safely on Friday evening aboard the Shenzhou-22 crewed spaceship, wrapping up a 210-day stay in orbit that set a new record for the longest single-crew mission aboard China's space station.

The trio consisting of Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang are all in good health, said the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), noting that the Shenzhou-21 spaceflight mission is a complete success.

At 19:20 (Beijing Time), the Beijing Aerospace Control Center issued a return command via the ground station, and in response the orbital capsule of the Shenzhou-22 spaceship separated from the return capsule.

The brake engine then ignited, and the return capsule separated from the propulsion capsule. The return capsule touched down at 20:11 at the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the CMSA said, while by 20:59, the Shenzhou-21 crew had all left the return capsule.

Wu Bin, an expert in charge of astronaut training with the China Astronaut Research and Training Center, explained how the three astronauts would be taken care of subsequently, especially how the project on gravity readaptation would be carried out given that they had been in orbit for almost seven months.

"After returning, we began gravity readaptation for the astronauts inside the capsule, including some health checks to facilitate their recovery. Once inside the medical and health supervision vehicle, nearly 30 procedures across nine categories are carried out to help the astronauts readapt to gravity and promote body recovery. In addition, a relatively systematic and comprehensive physical health examination will be conducted. Sampling for microorganisms and others will also be carried out there. The astronauts will have a meal inside the vehicle. Once they are in the appropriate condition, they will be transported via helicopter for further transfer," said Wu. The Shenzhou-21 crew achieved new results in an array of scientific experiments and technological tests covering microgravity fundamental physics, space material science, space life sciences, aerospace medicine and new space technologies.

"This time, the samples brought back by the Shenzhou-22 spaceship include biological materials and experimental samples from the combustion field. They involve a total of 23 scientific experiment projects, weighing approximately 41.14 kilograms -- every kilogram of them is truly precious. What we need to recover on site are the biological samples from nine projects in the life sciences field," said Sun Zhongjian, engineer at the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

"Among the samples we have brought back this time are the artificial embryo samples that have drawn a great deal of public attention. The astronauts have already recovered biological samples that are active and morphologically stable. After returning to Earth, these samples will undergo further biological analyses. Through these analyses, we will study the effects of the space environment on the post-implantation development of human embryos, which will also lay the groundwork for future research on human embryonic growth in the space environment," Sun said.

Shenzhou-21 astronauts return to Earth with critical scientific samples

The cost-of-living squeeze is intensifying for French households, while an economic slowdown has put the government in a bind between boosting growth and controlling the deficit.

Inflation in France rose to 2.4 percent in May, up 0.2 percentage points from the previous month, according to data released by the country's National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) on Thursday.

Meanwhile, a recent poll by the French Institute of Public Opinion (Ifop) found that 42 percent of French people have already started cutting back on essential spending, including food and healthcare. Many are buying less meat and other relatively expensive items.

For many families, the impact of rising prices is not only showing up in higher daily expenditure but also fundamentally changing their consumption habits.

"You just run habits, and you try to only buy what you spend. You try to consider when you go to the stores or when you do something if it's very necessary," said Margaux Bodard, a resident in Paris.

Mathieu Plane, deputy director of the analysis and forecasting department with the French Economic Observatory at Sciences Po, a university in Paris, said the root cause is the Middle East conflict's impact on oil supply.

"This is a shock coming from rising oil prices, and it's an external shock. France does not produce its own oil or gas, so it has to pay higher import costs, which increases production costs for businesses and also reduces household purchasing power. This is having a negative impact on French economic growth," said Plane.

As price pressure persists, France's economic growth has slowed further. INSEE data showed that in the first quarter of this year, the country's GDP contracted by 0.1 percent month on month, falling short of the institute's earlier forecast of zero growth. The weakening momentum has heightened market concerns.

"The most severe effects of the situation in Iran and rising energy prices have not yet fully materialized. So, the second or the third quarter could be quite difficult. We cannot even rule out the possibility of a recession. Looking at current economic indicators, that risk is real," said Plane.

French households bear high living costs as economic slowdown presents dilemma