China’s Shenzhou 20 return capsule has successfully landed back on Earth, concluding the uncrewed phase of the mission more than nine months after its launch, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) reported Monday.
The capsule touched down at the Dongfeng landing site in the northern region of Inner Mongolia at 9:34 a.m. Beijing time, according to CMSA. On site inspection found the exterior of the capsule in good condition, and equipment and materials inside were preserved as expected. The agency described the return as a complete success.
Shenzhou 20 was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on April 24, 2025, with three astronauts aboard for a six month mission docked at China’s orbiting space station. However, the spacecraft’s return was postponed after tiny cracks were discovered in a viewport window damage most likely caused by a high velocity piece of space debris leading to concerns it could not safely bring the crew back to Earth.
To ensure crew safety, the astronauts instead returned home aboard the Shenzhou 21 spacecraft in November 2025. The Shenzhou 20 vehicle remained in orbit to complete related experiments while a replacement capsule took over as the station’s backup return vehicle.
The successful uncrewed landing of Shenzhou 20 demonstrates China’s growing capabilities in human spaceflight operations and mission flexibility, even in the face of unexpected challenges in low Earth orbit.