China's Shenzhou-21 spacecraft successfully undocked from the Tiangong space station combination on November 14, 2025, marking a critical phase in the nation's crewed spaceflight program. The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) confirmed the separation occurred as planned, with the spacecraft carrying three astronauts from the Shenzhou-20 mission back to Earth.
The return mission, initially scheduled for November 5, was delayed due to precautionary measures after sensors detected potential micro-debris near the station. CMSA engineers conducted additional safety checks before approving the undocking procedure. This incident highlights the increasing challenges of orbital debris management as space activities intensify globally.
Since the Shenzhou-20 crew's May 2025 launch, they've conducted over 30 scientific experiments and completed two spacewalks. The successful undocking demonstrates China's growing capabilities in long-term space habitation and emergency response protocols.
