Chinese space capsule returns to Earth

• China's Shenzhou-9 capsule bumps down in Inner Mongolia
• This mission marks China's first woman in space
• China joins U.S. and Russia in completing a manned space docking

(CNN) -- China's Shenzhou-9 spacecraft returned to Earth on Friday, completing an ambitious mission that notched up a series of breakthroughs for the country, including putting its first woman in orbit.

Shenzhou-9 successfully carried out a manned space docking last week, making China the third country to complete such a feat after the United States and Russia.

Hanging from a parachute, the capsule floated back down to Earth on Friday, bumping down on the arid terrain of Inner Mongolia and rolling onto its side.

Support teams raced on foot and in vehicles to where the capsule lay to help the three-person crew get out.

China has made rapid, steady strides in developing its space program over the past decade, such as sending its first astronaut into space, completing its first spacewalk and launching two lunar orbiters.

CNN's Jethro Mullen contributed to this report.