Unmanned Shenzhou 8 capsule's return to Earth is broadcast on state television and follows successful docking exercise
An unmanned Chinese spacecraft has returned to Earth successfully after more than two weeks in orbit – a pivotal moment in China's plans for a manned space station.
The Shenzhou 8 capsule landed in Inner Mongolia after a fiery re-entry broadcast live on Chinese television.
Footage showed the craft lying on its side, with heat marks evident and technicians crawling in and out through a hatch.
The spacecraft's return is the latest show of China's growing prowess in space – alongside its increasing military and diplomatic influence – at a time when budget restraints and shifting priorities have held back US manned space launches.
The spacecraft was part of China's first docking exercise on 3 November when it coupled with the Tiangong 1 (Heavenly Palace) module about 210 miles (340km) above Earth. The unmanned Tiangong, which is 10.5m long and was launched on 29 September, is part of China's preparations for a space lab.
China aims to have a fully fledged space station by about 2020, but remains a long way behind the US and Russia which, with Japan and Europe, jointly operate the 400-tonne International Space Station.
The US has retired its shuttle fleet and will not test a new rocket to take people into space until 2017. Russia has said manned missions are no longer a priority.
China launched its first manned space mission in 2003 when astronaut Yang Liwei orbited Earth 14 times. The country launched its second moon orbiter last year, and in 2008 it became the third nation to send its astronauts on a spacewalk.
It plans an unmanned moon landing and deployment of a moon rover in 2012, and scientists have raised the possibility of sending a man to the moon after 2020.
guardian.co.uk, Fri 18 Nov 2011 07.31 GMT
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