The hatch of the return capsule of Shenzhou 9 had been closed and the spacecraft was ready for return, according to Beijing Aerospace Control Center Friday morning.

The Shenzhou 9 is scheduled to touch down around 10 a.m. at a landing site located in Siziwang Banner (county) in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

A search and recovery team has been organized for the return of the spacecraft.