BEIJING -- The re-entry module of China's Shenzhou-9 spacecraft was transported and handed over to its developer and manufacturer in Beijing.

The re-entry module landed in Gobi desert of Inner Mongolia and brought three Chinese astronauts back safely on Friday after a more than 12-day mission to test manual space docking in a low-earth orbit.

Being transported by railway train, the re-entry module was handed over from staff who picked it up in its landing zone to scientists with China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) at Changping Railway Station in Beijing's north suburb.

Engineers with the CAST will open the re-entry module on Sunday and conduct complete exam on its interior and exterior as well as the parachute and heat shield.