Today, Friday, November 14, 2025, China's Shenzhou-20 crew is set to touch down aboard the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft at the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, marking the end of a mission briefly paused by a debris scare.
The China Manned Space Agency confirmed astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie are in good health, with ground teams and recovery systems standing by for the landing. Originally planned for November 5, the return was postponed when ground controllers detected a suspected impact from tiny space debris on the Shenzhou-20 capsule.
Recovery crews are prepared to secure the capsule and conduct standard medical checks once the astronauts land, demonstrating the rigorous safety protocols China has developed for its crewed flights.
Looking ahead, the CMSA said the next mission, Shenzhou-22, will launch at an appropriate time in the future, as China continues to expand its presence in low Earth orbit.
For space and tech enthusiasts around the world, this Friday event highlights the promise of human spaceflight and the ongoing challenge of orbital debris.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
