The crew of the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft has safely returned to Earth on November 14, 2025, after a week-long delay caused by damage from space debris. The impact resulted in a cracked window, rendering the Shenzhou-20 unsafe for re-entry. As a precaution, the crew, consisting of Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie, used the newly arrived Shenzhou-21 for their departure from the Tiangong space station.
Originally scheduled to return on November 5, the crew’s return was postponed while mission controllers at the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) and the six taikonauts aboard the station conducted inspections of the spacecraft. According to a statement from the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) on November 11, the assessment and alternative return plans were progressing without issues.
The crew departed the Tiangong station aboard the Shenzhou-21 at 22:14 EST (19:14 PST) on November 13, landing in Inner Mongolia at 11:14 a.m. Beijing Time on November 14 (21:14 EST; 18:14 PST on November 15). Medical teams examined the astronauts upon landing and confirmed that they were in good health, as reported by the state-owned media company Xinhua.
“Space exploration has never been easy for humankind. This mission was a true test, and we are proud to have completed it successfully,” Chen Dong told reporters post-landing. “China’s space program has withstood the test, with all teams delivering outstanding performances… This experience has left us with a profound impression that astronauts’ safety is really prioritized.”
The CMSEO released an official statement on the same day, confirming that the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft had launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on October 31, 2025, carrying the new crew of Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang. With the departure of the Shenzhou-20 crew, the Shenzhou-21 astronauts currently lack a planned return, although this may be addressed with the anticipated launch of the Shenzhou-22, which is set to be uncrewed.
The Shenzhou-20 mission also marked significant achievements for China’s space endeavors. Commander Chen Dong completed six extravehicular tasks, making him the taikonaut with the most such tasks to date. Furthermore, the crew became the first to spend over 200 consecutive days in space. A highlight of their mission was sharing a barbecued meal in space, a gesture to welcome the new crew aboard the station.
This incident underscores the developmental milestones achieved by China’s space program. It demonstrates the agency’s preparedness for contingencies that arise in the challenging environment of space. The effective backup plans ensure that operations aboard the Tiangong space station will continue seamlessly.
As the International Space Station approaches retirement, China aims for the Tiangong station and its successors to play a pivotal role in ongoing human exploration and scientific operations in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
