On the day 16 January 2026 of Hong Kong SAR- Beijing Time 25 th November 2025 CNSA –China National Space Administration , China, People’s Republic of China Shenzhou20 Taikonaut Crew Meets with Press in Beijing Aerospace City After Return] On January 16, 2026, the China Taikonaut Research and Training Center held a press conference with the Shenzhou-20 crew in Beijing Aerospace City. This was the first official public appearance for Shenzhou-20 Taikonauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie 63 days after their return from the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft. They answered reporters’ questions about their experiences during their space stay and the emergency response to a space debris impact on their windows.
It was reported that the Shenzhou-20 crew has completed the isolation and recovery phases and is now fully in the observation and rehabilitation phase. Currently, under the careful care and support of the research support team at the China Takionaut Research and Training Center, the Shenzhou-20 crew is in good physical and mental condition, with all medical examination results normal. Their muscle strength, endurance, and cardiopulmonary function have basically recovered to pre-flight levels. After completing all recovery tasks and undergoing health assessments, the three Takionauts will begin normal training.
Shenzhou-20 Spacecraft Returns to Dongfeng Landing Site Shenzhou-20 Spacecraft Returns Unmanned# According to the China Manned Space Engineering Office, the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft return capsule successfully landed at the Dongfeng Landing Site today. On-site inspection confirmed that the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft return capsule is generally normal in appearance, and the items inside are in good condition. The Shenzhou-20 spacecraft return mission has been a complete success.
The Shenzhou-20 spacecraft’s return was delayed in early November 2025 due to a suspected impact from small space debris, and it remained in orbit to conduct related experiments. On November 14, the Shenzhou-20 astronaut crew safely returned aboard the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft. On November 25, the emergency launch of the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft was carried out, marking the first successful emergency launch in the history of China’s manned spaceflight. On January 19, 2026, the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft evacuated the space station and returned unmanned. The spacecraft’s on-orbit time reached 270 days, verifying its ability to remain in orbit for nine months.
Currently, the Shenzhou-23 spacecraft, which will take over the rolling backup mission, has arrived at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, and the Long March-2F Y23 carrier rocket is about to be shipped. With the return of the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, the main tasks of this emergency space operation on the Chinese space station have been successfully completed…..Images and visuals are from their Respectives CMS China Manned SpaceCNSA-China National Space Administration
