Chinese astronauts undergo recuperation after quarantine

The crew members of China's Shenzhou XII spaceflight have finished their quarantine and are in the recuperation period, the China Manned Space Agency said on Saturday.

The agency said in a news release that the astronauts -- mission commander Major General Nie Haisheng, Major General Liu Boming and Senior Colonel Tang Hongbo – have recovered from the physical effects of their three-month mission and took part in some medical comparison experiments.

The release quoted the astronauts as saying that they feel honored to receive greetings and regards from the public, noting that they will attend a news conference after the recuperation period concludes to share their experience with the public.

The Shenzhou XII spacecraft was launched on a Long March 2F carrier rocket that blasted off on June 17 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China. The astronauts entered Tiangong later that day after the two spacecraft docked with each other, becoming the first inhabitants of the station.

They flew 90 days with the Tiangong and made two spacewalks to use a large robotic arm and other equipment to install and adjust devices outside the station. They also performed a number of scientific experiments and technological tests.

The crew landed at the Dongfeng Landing Site in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region in mid-September and was soon flown back to Beijing.

Currently, the Tiangong station is hosting the Shenzhou XIII crew -- Major General Zhai Zhigang, Senior Colonel Wang Yaping and Senior Colonel Ye Guangfu – who were lifted in mid-October atop a Long March 2F at the Jiuquan center. They are scheduled to stay inside the station for six months.