Overview
- Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie landed in Dongfeng, Inner Mongolia, on November 14 aboard Shenzhou-21 after their planned November 5 return was postponed.
- CMSA reported small cracks in Shenzhou-20’s window glass very likely caused by space debris; the capsule will stay in orbit for further tests.
- Tiangong temporarily hosted six astronauts during the delay, with the agency saying station operations and crew health remained normal.
- Ground teams conducted safety evaluations, simulations and landing rehearsals before authorizing the switch to the relief craft for reentry.
- The Shenzhou-21 crew currently has no return vehicle until a future Shenzhou-22 mission, as authorities examine the incident’s lessons on debris risk.