China's unmanned Shenzhou 8 capsule returns to Earth

A Chinese spacecraft has returned to Earth after completing the nation's first docking manoeuvres in orbit.

The Shenzhou 8 capsule landed in the Gobi desert late on Thursday (Beijing time), the final moments of its descent having being slowed by parachute.

While in orbit, the unmanned Shenzhou mission had rendezvoused with China's mini spacelab, Tiangong-1.

The success of the venture paves the way for astronauts to visit the lab next year.      Full Read