Beijing, January 19 – China’s Shenzhou-20 spacecraft made a triumphant return on Monday, touching down safely at the Tongfeng Landing Site in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. This flawless landing marks the successful conclusion of the primary mission for emergency response at China’s space station.
At 9:34 AM local time, the return capsule landed precisely at the designated site. On-site inspections confirmed the capsule’s exterior was intact, with all onboard items in excellent condition. The entire Shenzhou-20 return mission was deemed a complete success by mission control.
Launched on April 24, 2025, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, Shenzhou-20 docked seamlessly with the Tiangong space station. Its return was initially delayed in early November due to potential threats from small space debris, allowing the crew to complete additional experiments while orbiting.
On January 19, 2026, at 00:23, the spacecraft undocked autonomously from the station and began its uncrewed descent. Spending a total of 270 days in orbit, it validated the spacecraft’s ability to remain stable for nine months in space.
To mitigate risks, Shenzhou-21 astronauts conducted an extravehicular activity (EVA) on December 9, 2025, capturing high-definition close-up images of the return capsule’s porthole using advanced cameras. This confirmed the status of a crack in the porthole.
Simultaneously, with the emergency launch of Shenzhou-22, repair equipment for the porthole crack was swiftly delivered. Astronauts installed the device inside the Shenzhou-20 capsule, significantly enhancing its thermal protection and sealing capabilities during re-entry.
This mission underscores China’s advancing capabilities in long-duration spaceflight and rapid problem-solving in orbit, paving the way for future deep-space endeavors. The successful return reinforces the reliability of the Shenzhou series, a cornerstone of the nation’s ambitious space program.