China's research icebreaker Xuelong, 126 crew members aboard on the 35th Antarctic research mission, on Thursday local time left the Zhongshan Station on (it) way back to China.
Snow Eagle 601, China's first fixed-wing aircraft for polar flight, on Thursday night also departed from the Antarctic after (complete) all assignments.
Xuelong, arrived near Zhongshan on Feb 9, supplied the station with fuel oil, and then picked up summer expedition team members at the Kunlun, Taishan and Zhongshan stations, as well as (member) of the fixed-wing aircraft project.
Sixteen members of the Kunlun team (success) completed all scientific expeditions at Dome Argus(Dome A), the South Pole's highest icecap. They, together with 21 members of the Taishan team, (return) to Zhongshan on Feb 8.
The Zhongshan team completed tasks including installation of and tests for LiDAR, drilling of ice bed-rock, atmospheric sounding (observe), surveys of birds and aerial exploration carried out by the fixed-wing aircraft.
As the summer expedition team at Zhongshan left, 19 members would stay for winter expeditions.
Also known as the Snow Dragon, the icebreaker (carry) a research team set sail from Shanghai on Nov 2 last year, beginning the country's 35th Antarctic expedition. It is expected (arrive) in Shanghai in mid-March.
