Marking a pivotal success in orbital operations, Shenzhou-20 landed safely at Inner Mongolia’s Tongfeng Landing Site on Monday, concluding China’s space station emergency mission with precision.
The capsule alighted at 9:34 AM, acing inspections for structural integrity and payload condition, cementing the return’s flawless execution.
Launched April 24, 2025, from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, it rendezvoused with Tiangong smoothly. November’s debris alert postponed return, maximizing experiment time in orbit.
Autonomous undocking at 00:23 on January 19, 2026, capped 270 days in space, validating nine-month loiter capacity.
Anticipating issues, Shenzhou-21’s EVA on December 9, 2025, provided HD porthole crack visuals, confirming integrity.
Shenzhou-22 expedited repair kit delivery; crew integration inside Shenzhou-20 fortified heat resistance and seals against re-entry stresses.
Beyond the landing, this operation showcases China’s prowess in real-time space maintenance, extended missions, and crewed interventions, fueling momentum toward lunar bases and Mars exploration in the coming decade.