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Shenzhou 20

retired

神舟二十号

Human SpaceflightLEOCOSPAR 2025-082ALaunched 4/24/2025
Admin Edit
Mission & Launch
Launch Mission
Shenzhou 20 Mission
Launch Vehicle
Long March 2F G
Launch Date
4/24/2025
Last Contact
1/19/2026
Orbit & Mass
Orbit Class
LEO
Altitude
381.5 km
Inclination
41.46 deg
Dry Mass
3,258 kg
Total Mass
8,100 kg
Payload Classification
Mission Type
Human Spaceflight
Payload Category
SS
Payload Class
C
Organizations
Operator
China Manned Space Agency (CMSA)
Manufacturer
China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT)
Registry
COSPAR ID
2025-082A
Track
Mentions
307
All verified mentions of this spacecraft in source documents.
0.0-5.0
Actions

A specialized repair device was expedited to the launch center and installed inside the Shenzhou-20 capsule to reinforce thermal protection and sealing for reentry.

CapabilityPlanValue 4.3Jan 22, 2026La cápsula de retorno de la nave china Shenzhou-20 regresa a la Tierra tras 270 días en órbita
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During the nine days after the Shenzhou-20 return postponement, six taikonauts were simultaneously on Tiangong and Wang Jie was responsible for ensuring stable operation of the environmental control and life support system.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.0Jan 21, 2026Shenzhou-20 Crew Respond to Questions on Space Debris Strike, 204-Day Mission Onboard Tiangong

During final pre-return inspection the Shenzhou-20 crew discovered a triangular crack that penetrated the outermost layer of the return capsule window.

CapabilityValue 4.0Jan 21, 2026Shenzhou-20 Crew Respond to Questions on Space Debris Strike, 204-Day Mission Onboard Tiangong

The Shenzhou-20 crew used an integrated thermal roasting device with an internal range-hood function to heat and roast food on orbit, including steaks and chicken wings.

CapabilityValue 4.0Jan 21, 2026Shenzhou-20 Crew Respond to Questions on Space Debris Strike, 204-Day Mission Onboard Tiangong

Chen Dong flew on the Shenzhou-11, Shenzhou-14, and Shenzhou-20 missions.

GeneralCapabilityValue 3.5Jan 21, 2026Shenzhou-20 Crew Respond to Questions on Space Debris Strike, 204-Day Mission Onboard Tiangong

China conducted an emergency-response launch with the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft after the Shenzhou-20 return was postponed.

PlanValue 4.0Jan 21, 2026Shenzhou-20 Crew Respond to Questions on Space Debris Strike, 204-Day Mission Onboard Tiangong

The Shenzhou-20 crew completed a crew handover with the incoming crew while both crews were on orbit.

GeneralPlanValue 3.0Jan 21, 2026Shenzhou-20 Crew Respond to Questions on Space Debris Strike, 204-Day Mission Onboard Tiangong

Approximately 20 days elapsed between discovery of the Shenzhou-20 window problem and the safe return plus the successful launch and docking of Shenzhou-22.

GeneralPlanValue 3.8Jan 21, 2026Shenzhou-20 Crew Respond to Questions on Space Debris Strike, 204-Day Mission Onboard Tiangong

Ground mission control assessed that Shenzhou-20’s return posed safety hazards and postponed the return while activating an emergency plan.

PlanValue 4.0Jan 21, 2026Shenzhou-20 Crew Respond to Questions on Space Debris Strike, 204-Day Mission Onboard Tiangong

In microgravity during the Shenzhou-20 mouse experiment, the mice initially showed stress reactions to weightlessness and later adapted to move and feed normally.

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.0Jan 21, 2026Shenzhou-20 Crew Respond to Questions on Space Debris Strike, 204-Day Mission Onboard Tiangong

The Shenzhou-20 crew performed multiple scientific experiments on orbit, including a mouse experiment and high-temperature materials tests.

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.5Jan 21, 2026Shenzhou-20 Crew Respond to Questions on Space Debris Strike, 204-Day Mission Onboard Tiangong

The three Shenzhou-20 taikonauts have had their mental and physical health monitored since returning to Earth.

GeneralCapabilityValue 2.0Jan 21, 2026Shenzhou-20 Crew Respond to Questions on Space Debris Strike, 204-Day Mission Onboard Tiangong

Wang Jie served as the science operator on Shenzhou-20 and operated and maintained the space station systems during the mission.

GeneralGovernanceValue 3.6Jan 21, 2026Shenzhou-20 Crew Respond to Questions on Space Debris Strike, 204-Day Mission Onboard Tiangong

All six taikonauts from both crews participated in observing and verifying the Shenzhou-20 return capsule window condition with ground control.

GeneralValue 4.0Jan 21, 2026Shenzhou-20 Crew Respond to Questions on Space Debris Strike, 204-Day Mission Onboard Tiangong

The crack is located on the edge of the outermost glass pane of the Shenzhou-20 window.

CapabilityValue 4.0Jan 20, 2026It's now disclosed that the crack on Shenzhou-20 window is in triangular shape, approximately 2cm long, located on the edge of the outermost glass pane. Astronaut CHEN Dong, who discovered the crack on November 4th during the final inspection before the scheduled return, described it as looking 'like a small leaf.'

The crack on the Shenzhou-20 window is triangular in shape and approximately 2 cm long.

CapabilityValue 4.2Jan 20, 2026It's now disclosed that the crack on Shenzhou-20 window is in triangular shape, approximately 2cm long, located on the edge of the outermost glass pane. Astronaut CHEN Dong, who discovered the crack on November 4th during the final inspection before the scheduled return, described it as looking 'like a small leaf.'

Shenzhou 20 is an uncrewed return capsule.

GeneralValue 3.5Jan 19, 2026It's a somewhat busy Chinese spaceflight day today, not the least of which Shenzhou 20's finally coming back in the next 1.5 hours (apparently no live coverage alas). I think it's almost certain extra shielding installed will be enough, but who knows?

Shenzhou 20 spent 270 days in orbit, setting a new Chinese record.

GeneralValue 4.2Jan 19, 2026Undocking from the CSS was at 16:23 UTC January 18; landing was at 01:34 UTC January 19 - Shenzhou 20 ultimately spent 270 days in orbit, a new Chinese record. Shenzhou 23 is now already in JSLC, w/ Long March 2F s/n Y23 about to leave for there soon too.

Shenzhou-20’s reentry module returned completed science experiments, personal items for the crews, and a Feitian (飞天航天服) spacesuit.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.0Jan 19, 2026Uncrewed Shenzhou-20 Spacecraft Returns to Earth Following Debris Damage

Recovery teams cut Shenzhou-20’s parachutes after touchdown because no taikonauts were onboard to send the parachute-cutting command.

GeneralValue 4.0Jan 19, 2026Uncrewed Shenzhou-20 Spacecraft Returns to Earth Following Debris Damage