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November 14th, 2025
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
The return capsule of the Shenzhou-21 spaceship, carrying the Shenzhou-20 astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie, touched down at the Dongfeng landing site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, still attached to China’s space station, did not meet the requirements for the astronauts’ safe return.
For the first time it was revealed that tiny cracks were found in the return capsule’s viewport window — likely caused by external impact from space debris — stated the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
Longest in-orbit stay
The Shenzhou-21 return capsule with the trio of taikonauts touched down at 16:40 Beijing time (0840 GMT) at the Dongfeng landing site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
Chen Dong, commander of the Shenzhou-20 crew. Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
This crew, sent into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on April 24, 2025, spent 204 days in orbit, setting a new record for the longest in-orbit stay among Chinese astronaut crews.
The crew’s return, originally scheduled for November 5, was postponed due to safety concerns.
Hardships and challenges
Chen Dong, commander of the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceflight mission was the first of the three-member Shenzhou-20 crew to get out of the return capsule.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
“Taking the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft home is very reassuring. The path of human space exploration is far from easy, filled with hardships and challenges, and that is why we take this path,” Chen said. “I believe this mission was not only a training opportunity but also a real test. We are proud that we have successfully completed the mission. China’s space program has withstood the test, and the entire project has delivered an outstanding result.”
A replacement ship, a Shenzhou-22 spacecraft, will be launched at an appropriate time in the future, according to the CMSA.
Go to this link for coverage of the recovery of the Shenzhou-20 crew at:
Posted in Space News
