Chinese Astronauts Safely Return After Space Debris Delay

On November 14, 2025, the crew of the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft successfully returned to Earth after a week-long delay caused by damage from space debris. The incident resulted in a cracked window on their spacecraft, prompting the three-member crew to depart from the Tiangong Space Station aboard the newly arrived Shenzhou-21 spacecraft. Originally scheduled to return on November 5, the crew’s return was postponed while six taikonauts aboard the station assessed the damage in collaboration with mission controllers from the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

The crew, consisting of Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie, departed the station at 22:14 EST (19:14 PST) on November 13. The decision to use the Shenzhou-21 was made after the Shenzhou-20 was deemed unsafe for re-entry. They landed in Inner Mongolia at 11:14 a.m. Beijing Time on November 14 (09:14 p.m. EST; 06:14 p.m. PST, November 15).

Upon landing, the crew underwent medical evaluations, which confirmed their good health, according to reports from the state-owned media outlet Xinhua. In a statement to reporters, Chen Dong remarked, “Space exploration has never been easy for humankind. This mission was a true test, and we are proud to have completed it successfully.” He emphasized the prioritization of astronauts’ safety during the mission.

Significant Milestones in Space Exploration

The return of the Shenzhou-20 crew marks several significant achievements for China’s space program. Commander Chen Dong completed six extravehicular activities (EVAs), becoming the taikonaut with the most EVAs performed to date. Additionally, the crew set a record for being the first to spend over 200 consecutive days in space. Notably, they also shared a unique experience with the Shenzhou-21 crew by enjoying a barbecued meal in space, celebrating the arrival of the new crew to the station.

The China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) released findings on the same day as the crew’s return, detailing the circumstances surrounding the incident. The Shenzhou-21 spacecraft launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on October 31, 2025, bringing a replacement crew to the space station, which includes Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang. The previous crew’s departure leaves the Shenzhou-21 crew without a return plan, although this is expected to be resolved with the future launch of the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft, which will be uncrewed.

Implications for Future Missions

This incident underscores a significant developmental milestone for China’s space program, demonstrating its capability to manage contingency situations in space effectively. The successful implementation of backup plans ensured that operations aboard the Tiangong Space Station could continue without interruption.

As the International Space Station (ISS) nears the end of its operational life, China aims to position its Tiangong station and future facilities as central to ongoing human exploration and scientific research in low Earth orbit (LEO). The successful handling of this incident reflects the nation’s commitment to advancing its capabilities in space exploration and ensuring the safety of its astronauts.