Astronauts from the Shenzhou-20 mission returned to Earth this Friday (14) after more than six months at the Tiangong space station, in northern China. The team, consisting of Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie, landed in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region at 4:40 pm local time using the return capsule of the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft. The nine-day delay was due to cracks detected in a window on Shenzhou-20, attributed to a possible impact from small space debris.
The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) confirmed that the three crew members exited the capsule in good physical condition at 5:21 p.m. Rescue teams quickly located the module and performed initial medical examinations at the scene.
During their stay, the astronauts conducted experiments in life sciences and microgravity physics.
- Biological samples, including laboratory mice and zebrafish, were safely repatriated.
- Tests on materials under orbital conditions have advanced research for future missions.
- Collaboration with the new crew included handover of station operations.
Inner Mongolia landing details
The Shenzhou-21 reentry module separated from Tiangong at 11:14 am Beijing time, beginning a descent lasting more than five hours. Recovery teams, positioned at the Dongfeng site, confirmed the soft touch on the sandy soil.
Images transmitted by CCTV showed the astronauts being extracted from the capsule on stretchers, waving to the medical teams.
🇨🇳🧑🚀 The crew of the Chinese manned space mission Shenzhou-20 returned to Earth!
— Geopolitical Analysis (@AnalysisGeopol) November 14, 2025
The three taikonauts had been in space since April 24, 2025, carrying out a routine mission at the Chinese Tiangong Space Station.pic.twitter.com/334nSFp91f
Profile of astronauts involved
Chen Dong, mission commander, accumulated more than 400 days in orbit throughout his career, becoming the Chinese taikonaut with the longest total time in space. He has participated in previous flights, including Shenzhou-14 in 2022.
Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie completed their first manned missions, focusing on engineering and station maintenance tasks. The three were launched on April 24, 2025, aboard the Long March-2F rocket from the Jiuquan Launch Center.
The team selection prioritized experience in military aviation and training in long-term simulations.
Space debris incident
The cracks were detected during routine inspections before the return scheduled for November 5th. CMSA engineers identified microcracks in an observation window of the capsuleShenzhou-20, compromising structural integrity.
Preliminary analyzes point to a collision with an orbital fragment smaller than 1 centimeter, common in environments saturated with space debris. The Tiangong station operates in a low orbit, exposed to thousands of debris cataloged by the international community.
To mitigate risks, the crew transferred to Shenzhou-21, which had transported the important team days before. This maneuver marked the first successful use of an alternative return procedure in the Chinese program.
Shenzhou-20 will remain in orbit for additional testing, with plans for controlled deorbiting at a future date.
Experiments carried out at Tiangong
The mission prioritized advances in biotechnology and space materials, with more than 20 active projects. Astronauts have grown crystals in microgravity for pharmaceutical studies and monitored the growth of human liver cells.
Wang Jie led astronomical observation sessions, capturing data about distant galaxies. Chen Zhongrui managed repairs to solar panels, extending the life of the station.
- Nine types of live samples, such as macrophages and hepatocytes, returned intact.
- Experiments in ion propulsion tested efficiency for future maneuvers.
- International collaborations included shared protocols with Asian agencies.
Theseresults contribute to the CMSA database, with applications in medicine and earth engineering.
Security procedures adopted
Ground teams activated contingency protocols immediately after detecting the damage, including docking simulations between ships. The transition to Shenzhou-21 was seamless, with astronauts remaining in normal work and rest routines.
The CMSA emphasized that the health of the taikonauts guided all decisions, avoiding any unnecessary exposure. Post-landing tests included cardiorespiratory assessments and bone density analyses, affected by prolonged microgravity.
Future space station rotations
Tiangong, completed in 2022, operates on six-month cycles for three-member teams, allowing for short overlaps during changeovers. The current Shenzhou-21 crew now manages operations, with Shenzhou-22 expected to launch in the coming months.
The Chinese program plans expansions, including visits by foreign astronauts from 2026, with Pakistan as an initial partner. The station supports up to six people during transitional periods, encouraging collaborative research.
