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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

The repairs to the Shenzhou-20's descent module include extra shields added from the inside.

CapabilityValue 3.0Jan 15, 2026BTW there's also 1 thing that you all have been waiting for that's coming back - the stricken Shenzhou 20 is finally going to return in 4 days' time after its original crew finishes patching up the descent module port hole w/ extra shields from the inside:

The stricken Shenzhou-20 crew spacecraft is scheduled to return in four days' time after repairs to its descent module port hole.

Plan
Page5of16
Capability
Value 4.0
Jan 15, 2026
BTW there's also 1 thing that you all have been waiting for that's coming back - the stricken Shenzhou 20 is finally going to return in 4 days' time after its original crew finishes patching up the descent module port hole w/ extra shields from the inside:

The reentry and landing of the Shenzhou-20 will be uncrewed.

PlanCapabilityValue 3.5Jan 15, 2026BTW there's also 1 thing that you all have been waiting for that's coming back - the stricken Shenzhou 20 is finally going to return in 4 days' time after its original crew finishes patching up the descent module port hole w/ extra shields from the inside:

The damaged Shenzhou-20 crew spacecraft is scheduled to attempt reentry and landing between 0120-0150 UTC on January 19, 2026.

PlanValue 4.0Jan 14, 2026Shenzhou-20 update: there's an airspace closure notice suggesting the damaged Shenzhou-20 crew spacecraft will attempt reentry and landing between 0120-0150 UTC on Jan. 19. Will be uncrewed, of course, but will be interesting to see how it holds up.

The reentry and landing of Shenzhou-20 will be uncrewed.

PlanGeneralValue 2.2Jan 14, 2026Shenzhou-20 update: there's an airspace closure notice suggesting the damaged Shenzhou-20 crew spacecraft will attempt reentry and landing between 0120-0150 UTC on Jan. 19. Will be uncrewed, of course, but will be interesting to see how it holds up.

Shenzhou-20 launched on April 24, 2025 carrying Commander Chen Dong, Operator Chen Zhongrui, and Science Operator Wang Jie, and docked with Tiangong less than a day later.

PlanGeneralGovernanceValue 4.0Jan 1, 2026China Continues Space Progress Through 2025

The Shenzhou-20 crew returned to Earth aboard the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft on November 14, 2025 due to the Shenzhou-20 window damage.

GeneralPlanValue 3.8Jan 1, 2026China Continues Space Progress Through 2025

Shenzhou-20 conducted spacewalks on May 22, June 26, August 15, and September 25, 2025 to install debris protection devices.

CapabilityPlanValue 4.5Jan 1, 2026China Continues Space Progress Through 2025

The Shenzhou-20 spacecraft suffered a debris strike to one of its windows, causing a delay to its planned return and contributing to an early crew return scenario in November 2025.

PlanValue 4.0Jan 1, 2026China Continues Space Progress Through 2025

The Shenzhou-20 crew conducted life sciences experiments in microgravity and tested a new AI assistant system during their mission.

CapabilityValue 3.0Jan 1, 2026China Continues Space Progress Through 2025

Astronaut Zhang Lu took photos of Shenzhou-20's cracked window.

GeneralCapabilityValue 3.0Dec 10, 2025Astronaut ZHANG Lu taking photos of Shenzhou-20's cracked window

Tasks during the spacewalk included installing debris protection and photographing the cracked window on Shenzhou-20.

CapabilityValue 4.2Dec 9, 2025Shenzhou-21 astronauts Zhang Lu and Wu Fei completed an ~8 hour spacewalk outside Tiangong space station at 1045 UTC today, according to CMSEO. Tasks included installing debris protection & photographing the Shenzhou-20 cracked window. https://www.cmse.gov.cn/xwzx/202512/t20251209_57164.html

Astronauts ZHANG Lu and WU Fei inspected the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft during the EVA.

CapabilityGeneralValue 2.6Dec 9, 2025Shenzhou-21 have completed their first EVA. Astronauts ZHANG Lu and WU Fei worked together to inspect Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, install debris shields, et al

ZHANG Lu and WU Fei installed debris shields on the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft.

CapabilityValue 4.0Dec 9, 2025Shenzhou-21 have completed their first EVA. Astronauts ZHANG Lu and WU Fei worked together to inspect Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, install debris shields, et al

Future extravehicular activities (EVA) may include patching the damaged section of the viewport window on Shenzhou-20.

PlanValue 3.6Dec 9, 2025- No images of the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft published. Future EVA may include patching the damaged section of viewport window. - China also now has a gap in emergency launch capacity, due to the emergency launch of Shenzhou-22. Shenzhou-23 not expected at Jiuquan until January.

Details regarding Shenzhou-20's landing location and return cargo are yet to be decided.

PlanValue 2.3Dec 9, 2025First Shenzhou-21 Spacewalk Inspects Damaged Spacecraft, Installs Protective Hardware [SZ-21 EVA-1]

Zhang Lu was carried on the space station’s robotic arm toward Shenzhou-20’s reentry module to view its window.

GeneralValue 3.0Dec 9, 2025First Shenzhou-21 Spacewalk Inspects Damaged Spacecraft, Installs Protective Hardware [SZ-21 EVA-1]

A disposal plan for the damaged Shenzhou-20 spacecraft will be considered following inspections and photographs.

PlanValue 3.2Dec 9, 2025First Shenzhou-21 Spacewalk Inspects Damaged Spacecraft, Installs Protective Hardware [SZ-21 EVA-1]

The spacewalkers inspected and photographed the damaged window of the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft.

GeneralCapabilityValue 3.2Dec 9, 2025First Shenzhou-21 Spacewalk Inspects Damaged Spacecraft, Installs Protective Hardware [SZ-21 EVA-1]

Protective hardware for Shenzhou-20’s damaged window was delivered via Shenzhou-22 along with installation tools.

RelationshipsValue 4.0Dec 9, 2025First Shenzhou-21 Spacewalk Inspects Damaged Spacecraft, Installs Protective Hardware [SZ-21 EVA-1]