Overview
- The Shenzhou‑20 astronauts — Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie — landed at the Dongfeng site aboard Shenzhou‑21 after a nine‑day delay and were reported in good health.
- China’s space agency said tiny cracks in Shenzhou‑20’s return‑capsule window, most likely from orbital debris, meant the spacecraft did not meet safety requirements for reentry.
- Shenzhou‑20 was left in orbit to conduct experiments, while the replacement Shenzhou‑21 capsule undocked from Tiangong for the crew’s return after 204 days in space.
- Using the arriving crew’s vehicle to bring the outgoing team home leaves Tiangong temporarily without a ready return spacecraft for the current Shenzhou‑21 crew.
- CMSA said a new Shenzhou‑22 spacecraft will be launched at an appropriate time to restore return capability, underscoring wider concerns about rising orbital debris risks.