Chen Zhongrui, a crew member of China's Shenzhou-20 mission, safely exited the Shenzhou-21 return capsule on Friday, November 14, 2025, following its touchdown in the Gobi Desert. The landing marked the conclusion of a six-month orbital mission that included critical technology tests for China's Tiangong space station.
State media footage showed Chen waving to recovery teams amid cheers from ground personnel. All three crew members reportedly remain in good health after completing physical evaluations. A spokesperson for the China Manned Space Agency praised the mission's contributions to 'advancing humanity's understanding of long-duration spaceflight.'
The successful return comes as China accelerates its lunar exploration program, with plans for a crewed moon landing by 2030. Analysts note growing international interest in China's space capabilities, particularly in life support systems tested during this mission.
