In a significant milestone for China's ongoing presence in low Earth orbit, the crews of the Shenzhou-21 and Shenzhou-23 missions successfully completed an in-orbit handover ceremony this Thursday, May 28, 2026.
The ceremony, characterized by professional precision and camaraderie, saw the Shenzhou-21 crew officially transfer the key of the space station to the incoming Shenzhou-23 team. Along with the symbolic transfer of responsibility, the outgoing astronauts conveyed their best wishes to their successors, ensuring a seamless transition of station management and operational continuity.
According to the China Manned Space Agency, the Shenzhou-21 crew has now successfully concluded all planned tasks during their tenure. Their work contributes to the broader goals of scientific research and the long-term sustainable operation of the station, providing insights that resonate with the global scientific community.
The journey home is now the primary focus for the Shenzhou-21 team. The three astronauts are scheduled to board the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft for their descent, with a planned return to the Dongfeng landing site in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region within the coming few days.
Reference(s):
China's Shenzhou-21, Shenzhou-23 crews complete in-orbit handover
cgtn.com
