In a historic moment for China’s space program, the three astronauts of the Shenzhou-XX mission—Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie—successfully exited their return capsule on Friday, November 14, 2025, at 5:21 pm Beijing Time. The crew had completed a remarkable 204-day mission in orbit, marking another milestone in China’s manned space exploration efforts. The China Manned Space Agency confirmed that all three astronauts are in excellent health following their return to Earth. Chen Dong, the mission commander, was the first to emerge from the capsule, solidifying his status as the first Chinese astronaut to accumulate over 400 days in space. This achievement underscores China’s growing capabilities in space technology and its commitment to advancing human spaceflight. The successful return of the Shenzhou-XX crew highlights the nation’s progress in long-duration space missions and paves the way for future endeavors, including the planned construction of a permanent space station.
