In Orbit and Beyond: Shenzhou-20 Crew Sets New Standards in Space Amidst Growing Chinese Ambitions

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission have decided to honor the crew of the manned spacecraft “Shenzhou-20” for their outstanding contribution to the development of the national space program and exemplary behavior in an emergency situation in orbit.

Commander Chen Dong was awarded the Order of Space Merit of the First Degree and also received the honorary title of “Hero Astronaut.” Astronauts Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie received the Order of Space Merit of the Third Degree. The manned spacecraft “Shenzhou-20” was successfully launched on April 24, 2025. The crew, consisting of Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie, spent over six months on the Tiangong orbital station.

During the mission, the astronauts performed four spacewalks, seven cargo hatch operations, over 120 tasks of construction, upgrading, maintenance, and repair of the station, as well as conducted a series of scientific and technological experiments. The return of the spacecraft occurred on November 14, 2025. The “Shenzhou-20” mission became the fifth manned expedition within the framework of the operation and development stage of the Chinese orbital station and set a new national record for the duration of one crew’s stay in space.

Particularly noteworthy is the episode when the crew encountered an emergency situation – a presumed collision of the craft with a piece of space debris. The project team promptly conducted a risk analysis, and the taikonauts acted calmly and coherently, showcasing high professionalism and commitment to safety protocols. This episode was named an example of priority given to safety and high professional training.

Achievements and Future Prospects

Chen Dong became the first Chinese astronaut to spend over 400 days in space: over three flights, he performed six spacewalks. For Chen Zhongrui, the mission was his first space flight, during which he successfully completed three spacewalks. Notably, Wang Jie was also recognized for her strong performance during her time on the mission.

It’s important to recall that the launch of “Shenzhou-20” took place from the Jiuquan spaceport. In early November, the return of the crew was delayed due to suspected damage to the apparatus by space debris. On January 19, 2026, the spacecraft undocked from the station and returned to Earth in unmanned mode.

As China’s space program continues to grow, with missions planned to progressively explore lunar and deep-space territories, the experiences of the Shenzhou-20 mission will undoubtedly serve as a crucial foundation. Looking ahead, the China National Space Administration has outlined plans for the next generation of high-tech ventures, aiming to construct their own space-based telescope project to further cosmic observations and research.