Flashback: Helicopters ready for Shenzhou-XI landing

(chinadaily.com.cn)

Updated: 2016-11-21

Three helicopters prepare to takeoff near Siziwang Banner where the Shenzhou-XI manned spacecraft descended to Earth after 33 days in space on Nov 18. The helicopters were off to search for the capsule which carried two astronauts — 49-year-old Jing Haipeng and 37-year-old Chen Dong. [Photo/Xinhua]

A technician on the helicopter monitors equipment for the forthcoming landing of the Shenzhou-XI manned spacecraft, which descended to Earth after 33 days in space on Nov 18. Subordinate to Ulanqab, Siziwang Banner houses a population of 210,000 (as of 2008) and has a land area of 25,516 square kilometers. The banner is adjacent to Mongolia in the north, with a border stretching 104 kilometers. [Photo/Xinhua]

Two pilots prepare for takeoff. The pilots were sent to patrol and search the expected landing area of the Shenzhou-XI manned spacecraft on Nov 18. The Shenzhou-XI manned spacecraft was launched on a Long March 2F rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China on Oct 17. It descended to Earth in Siziwang Banner on Nov 18 after 33 days in space. [Photo/Xinhua]