On November 14, 2025, China's Shenzhou-20 crew, consisting of astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie, successfully returned to Earth after a historic 203-day mission in space. Their return marked the conclusion of a mission that saw significant scientific achievements and was carried out with a steadfast commitment to crew safety.
?️ Mission Highlights and Scientific Contributions
The Shenzhou-20 crew's half-year in space was highly productive, encompassing a wide range of scientific and technical tasks. Below is a summary of their key accomplishments:
Scientific Experiments: The crew conducted experiments across several fields, including space life sciences, microgravity physics, space materials science, and aerospace medicine. Notable achievements include producing high-quality protein crystals that could aid in tumor treatment research, successfully heating a tungsten alloy to 3100°C (setting a new international record for space-based materials science), and making novel observations of charged colloids in microgravity.
Space Station Management: They diligently maintained the space station's environment, caring for a zebrafish habitat and a "space vegetable garden," which provided valuable data for life science research.
Cargo Operations: In July, the crew managed the arrival of the Tianzhou-9 cargo spacecraft, which delivered 6.5 tons of supplies, including new extravehicular spacesuits.
Extravehicular Activities (EVAs): The mission included four spacewalks. During these EVAs, the astronauts installed equipment such as space debris protection devices, foot restraints, and adapter interfaces, which enhanced the station's safety and the efficiency of future exterior work.
? The Return Journey
The crew's return was a carefully orchestrated operation that underscored the program's focus on safety.
Return Vehicle: The astronauts returned to Earth aboard the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft.
Landing Site: They landed at the Dongfeng landing site as planned.
Safety First: The return, originally scheduled for November 5, was delayed after the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft was suspected to have been struck by a minor space debris particle. Following the "life first, safety first" principle, the China Manned Space Engineering Office postponed the return to conduct comprehensive safety checks, simulations, and analyses to ensure a completely safe journey home for the crew. During this extended period, the Shenzhou-20 crew worked seamlessly with the newly arrived Shenzhou-21 crew, continuing joint experiments.
Ground Recovery: Ahead of the landing, a ground search and recovery team comprising over 100 vehicles assembled and moved into position near the expected landing area in the Gobi desert, ready to retrieve the crew immediately upon touchdown.
? A Seamless Handover in Orbit
A distinctive feature of this mission was the extended overlap between the Shenzhou-20 and Shenzhou-21 crews. This in-orbit handover allowed for direct transfer of experience and data, ensuring a smooth transition and continuous operation aboard the Chinese space station. With the Shenzhou-20 mission successfully concluded, the stage is now set for the subsequent launch of the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft to continue China's permanent presence in space.
If you are interested in more details about the crew's daily life in space or the specifics of the experiments they conducted, feel free to ask!
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