The Shenzhou XVIII spacecraft departed from the Tiangong station at 4:12 pm Sunday, and flew in a return trajectory before re-entering the atmosphere.

Before setting out on their return trip, Ye's team handed over their work to a new crew, transmitted scientific experimental data back to Earth and sorted and transferred materials between the station and their spaceship.

In the next six months, the Tiangong station will be manned by the Shenzhou XIX trio, headed by Senior Colonel Cai Xuzhe, who arrived on Wednesday afternoon.