Overview
- The uncrewed Shenzhou 20 capsule touched down on January 19 in the Dongfeng landing zone in China's Gobi Desert.
- Chinese state media said initial checks found the capsule in normal condition with onboard goods in good shape, calling the recovery a full success.
- The spacecraft had been slated to return on November 5 but its landing was delayed after cracks were found in a window.
- Following the anomaly, the three astronauts transferred to the docked Shenzhou 21 vehicle and returned to Earth on November 14 under an emergency protocol.
- Shenzhou 20 remained at the space station for inspections and repairs and returned after about 270 days in orbit, highlighting rising collision risks from orbital debris.