Xinhua News Agency, Jiuquan, November (Li Guoli, Li Xinyuan) - The Shenzhou XVIII astronaut crew is scheduled to return to the Dongfeng Landing Site on the 1st. The Dongfeng Landing Site organized all search and rescue forces to conduct the final comprehensive system exercise from the evening of the 30th to the early morning of the 1st, testing the organization and guarantee capabilities for the return search and rescue mission, the capabilities to search for the return capsule and rescue the astronauts, and the organization and control capabilities at the landing site.

Currently, all preparations are in place, awaiting the return of the Shenzhou XVIII astronauts. For this search and rescue mission, the Dongfeng Landing Site has formed a helicopter search and rescue team, a fixed-wing aircraft search and rescue team carrying paratroopers, a ground search and rescue team, and local governments around the landing area have organized militia teams. Under the unified command of the Landing Site Command, the Dongfeng Landing Site has comprehensively and systematically organized the preparation for the mission.

According to the introduction, the Shenzhou 18 manned spacecraft return capsule is expected to land in the early hours of the morning. Based on historical meteorological data from the landing site, the average temperature in the early hours of the first ten days of the month is approximately . degrees Celsius, with an extreme minimum temperature of -. degrees Celsius. The return period of the spacecraft is generally moonless. The challenges of this mission are the dark night and low temperature conditions, which make it difficult to search for and discover the target, reach the landing site, and require high standards for rescue site support.

Following the idea of making the rescue site as bright as day, we have procured various types of lighting equipment sets, further improving the lighting support measures at the landing site based on the nighttime search and rescue of the Shenzhou XIV mission. Wang Zhengjun from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center introduced, "In line with the concept of rescuing astronauts in the most comforting manner, we have prepared sleeping bags, blankets, and other cold-weather supplies for the astronauts. Additionally, we have maintained the medical supervision and healthcare vehicles, ensuring that they can provide a temperature-appropriate medical supervision and healthcare environment for the astronauts even under low-temperature conditions."

To familiarize themselves with the search and rescue environment, the air detachment has organized multiple flight training sessions since their arrival, conducting a general survey and marking various terrains, landforms, and hazards within the landing zone. The ground detachment has conducted a thorough survey of the landing area, meticulously recording and organizing vehicle-friendly routes, and carried out specialized training in desert driving, nighttime searches, and nighttime recovery operations. They have completed multiple air-ground coordination training sessions and full-system drills, and have conducted various training exercises in preparation for the spacecraft's return as scheduled.

Currently, all search and rescue forces and equipment at the Dongfeng Landing Site are in good condition, capable of executing search and rescue missions. The Shenzhou XVIII astronaut crew has completed all pre-departure preparations.