Overview
- CMSA said the three astronauts—Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie—are returning Friday to the Dongfeng landing site and are in good health.
- Pre-return inspections found minor cracks in a Shenzhou-20 return-capsule window, which officials attributed to a likely impact from tiny orbital debris.
- The Shenzhou-20 spacecraft will remain in orbit while agencies complete follow-up assessments, according to official statements.
- A Shenzhou-22 vehicle is being readied for a later launch to reestablish a dedicated return craft for the crew now aboard Tiangong.
- The swap occurred during a routine handover period that allows two crews on the station, highlighting both contingency planning and growing debris hazards in low Earth orbit.