Chinese taikonauts return as heros after landmark spacewalk

PEACEFUL EXPLORATION OF SPACE

Chinese taikonauts get out of Shenzhou-7 re-entry module after their safe landing in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Sep. 28, 2008.(Xinhua/Li Gang)

The mission, although so far the most challenging, was high-profile and seemed bound for success before it even took off. President Hu Jintao flew to Jiuquan to personally see off the taikonauts and held an "Earth-space" phone conversation with them after the spacewalk.

Premier Wen Jiabao said on Sunday the spirit of those who worked for the mission shall be amplified across the nation and called the scientists and engineers to "continue to make contributions to the space industry and overall rejuvenation of the nation". He said it is the Chinese people's persistent aspiration to develop the manned spaceflight technologies for the peaceful exploration and use of the outer space.

Zhai's roaming in space comes as a crowning moment for the Chinese, who celebrates the upcoming national day on Oct. 1 and 30 years of reform and opening up this year.

The mission headquarters said all tasks, such as the satellite data relay trial, releasing a companion satellite, retrieval of solid lubricant, and space suit test, are successful.

"The mission proves that our overall technological level has been upgraded. There are great breakthroughs in many aspects," the headquarters announced in a statement.

"It has laid a solid scientific and technological foundation for future goals of manned space lab and space stations," it said.

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Editor:Zhang Pengfei