After a long journey, the Shenzhou 7 will land in Inner Mongolia. Let's take a look at why that location was selected, and how it will get return to earth.

When it's time to return home, the spacecraft's position will be adjusted, and the re-entry capsule will separate from the orbital module.

After the separation, the re-entry capsule's position will be readjusted for a return trajectory. The spaceship will maintain this course, and is then in un-powered free descent.

At around a hundred kilometers above the ground, strong friction between the capsule and Earth's atmosphere will produce intense heat on the surface of the capsule.

At around a hundred kilometers above the ground, strong friction between the capsule and Earth's atmosphere will produce intense heat on the surface of the capsule.

At about 10 kilometers, three parachutes will open to slow down the module. Just over a meter before impact, landing rockets will ignite.

As the deceleration parachute and the main parachute are opened, the capsule will drop slowly. When the capsule is just a meter above the ground, the capsule's four reverse-thrust engines will ignite to ensure a soft landing, at a speed of about one or two meters per second.

It is extremely important to select a location that can withstand the heat and pressure from the re-entry capsule.

The planned landing site is in Siziwang Banner, in central Inner Mongolia.

In order to choose the perfect area for landing, 4 requirements must be met.

The first is that the spacecraft must pass the area numerous times while in outer space. This way, the area can be easily found through radar.

Professor Wang Peng, who was the director of Shenzhou 6 landing site, explains the other 3 requirements.

Wang Peng, Director Shenzhou 6 Landing Site, said, Helicopters waiting on site will immediately search for the capsule and a team will rush to the site to help the astronauts.

If there are any problems, a backup landing location at Gansu's Jiuquan Launch center will be used.

(CCTV.com September 28, 2008)