Picture credit score: CCTV/Inside Outer Area screengrab
The return capsule of the Shenzhou-21 spaceship, carrying the Shenzhou-20 astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie, touched down on the Dongfeng touchdown web site in north China’s Interior Mongolia Autonomous Area on Friday.
In the meantime, the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, nonetheless connected to China’s house station, didn’t meet the necessities for the astronauts’ secure return.
For the primary time it was revealed that tiny cracks have been discovered within the return capsule’s viewport window — doubtless attributable to exterior affect from house particles — acknowledged the China Manned Area Company (CMSA).
Longest in-orbit keep
The Shenzhou-21 return capsule with the trio of taikonauts touched down at 16:40 Beijing time (0840 GMT) on the Dongfeng touchdown web site in north China’s Interior Mongolia Autonomous Area.
Chen Dong, commander of the Shenzhou-20 crew. Picture credit score: CCTV/Inside Outer Area screengrab
This crew, despatched into house from the Jiuquan Satellite tv for pc Launch Middle in northwest China on April 24, 2025, spent 204 days in orbit, setting a brand new file for the longest in-orbit keep amongst Chinese language astronaut crews.
The crew’s return, initially scheduled for November 5, was postponed because of security considerations.
Hardships and challenges
Chen Dong, commander of the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceflight mission was the primary of the three-member Shenzhou-20 crew to get out of the return capsule.
Picture credit score: CCTV/Inside Outer Area screengrab
“Taking the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft residence may be very reassuring. The trail of human house exploration is much from straightforward, stuffed with hardships and challenges, and that’s the reason we take this path,” Chen mentioned. “I consider this mission was not solely a coaching alternative but in addition an actual take a look at. We’re proud that we’ve got efficiently accomplished the mission. China’s house program has withstood the take a look at, and the complete challenge has delivered an excellent outcome.”
A substitute ship, a Shenzhou-22 spacecraft, shall be launched at an applicable time sooner or later, in keeping with the CMSA.
Go to this hyperlink for protection of the restoration of the Shenzhou-20 crew at:
