China's Shenzhou-20 return capsule touched down at the Dongfeng landing site at 9:34 a.m. Beijing time today, concluding a 270-day unmanned orbital mission. The China Manned Space Agency confirmed the capsule’s exterior remained structurally intact, with all experimental payloads inside preserved in optimal condition.
The mission, originally slated to conclude on November 5, 2025, was extended due to precautionary measures following a suspected micro-debris collision risk. While the spacecraft had been prepared to transport three astronauts back to Earth last year, this final phase instead tested autonomous recovery systems critical for future long-duration crewed missions.
This achievement underscores China’s advancing capabilities in space engineering and debris mitigation strategies. Analysts suggest the data collected will inform preparations for the Tiangong space station’s upcoming expansion phase, expected to begin later this year.
