Shenzhou-20 Astronauts’ Unexpected Hitchhike Back to Earth

Unexpected Return Journey

The crew of the Chinese spacecraft “Shenzhou-20” – Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie – has completed their long-term mission and safely returned to Earth.

However, the landing had to be performed not on their own spacecraft: their regular vehicle sustained damage in orbit, presumably due to impact by a micrometeorite or space debris particles.

Use of Subsequent Expedition’s Craft for Return

As a result, the return was conducted using the spacecraft of the subsequent expedition “Shenzhou-21.” The reentry capsule “Shenzhou-21” successfully landed at the Dongfeng site in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region at approximately 08:40 UTC (11:40 Moscow time).

The landing proceeded as planned, all systems functioned normally, and doctors confirmed the astronauts’ good condition post-return.

Detachment from the Orbital Station

It was earlier reported that the manned spacecraft “Shenzhou-21” undocked from the Chinese orbital station to return the astronauts of the “Shenzhou-20” mission to Earth.

Recent Developments in Chinese Space Missions

Recently, China’s space program has achieved several milestones, including the launch of new technologies aimed at improving spacecraft resilience in space and conducting sophisticated experiments on their space station. These efforts underscore China’s growing expertise and ambitions in space exploration, making significant contributions to both national pride and technological advancement.