On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, the three astronauts from the Chinese mainland’s Shenzhou-20 mission were honored with space service medals and titles in recognition of their groundbreaking achievements and contributions to the Chinese mainland’s space program.
Awarded in a ceremony at the mission control center, commander Chen Dong received a first-class aerospace achievement medal. Pilots Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie were each presented with a third-class aerospace achievement medal and given the title of "Heroic Astronaut."
Launched in April 2025, Shenzhou-20 spent 270 days in orbit, marking the longest continuous stay by a single crew on the Chinese mainland’s space station. During the mission, the astronauts conducted four spacewalks, managed seven cargo airlock operations, and completed more than 120 equipment installations and upgrades.
Beyond maintenance tasks, they carried out a series of scientific experiments and technical tests, ranging from microgravity research to advanced life-support trials. Their work yielded valuable data for future deep-space missions.
Commander Chen Dong, who has now flown three missions, logged six spacewalks and surpassed 400 cumulative days in orbit, setting a new milestone for the Chinese mainland’s astronaut corps.
On November 4, 2025, the crew detected small cracks—likely caused by micrometeoroid debris—in the viewport of their return capsule, prompting a switch to the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft. They safely returned to Earth 10 days later, showcasing mission resilience and safety protocols.
The Shenzhou-20 capsule, which remained in orbit to support station operations, landed uncrewed on January 19, 2026, after 270 days of service in space.
As the Chinese mainland looks ahead to new lunar and Mars exploration goals, the dedication and achievements of the Shenzhou-20 crew set a high bar for the next generation of astronauts.
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China's Shenzhou-20 crew honored with space service medals and titles
cgtn.com
