Commander Chen Dong made history on November 14, 2025, as the first crew member to emerge from the Shenzhou-21 return capsule following its successful Earth landing. The three-member Shenzhou-20 crew completed a six-month mission aboard China's Tiangong Space Station, marking another milestone in the nation's ambitious space program.
The return vehicle touched down in Inner Mongolia at 8:26 AM local time, with recovery teams confirming all astronauts are in good health. This mission included critical technology verification tests and space science experiments that will inform future lunar exploration plans.
"This achievement demonstrates China's growing capabilities in long-duration space habitation," stated a spokesperson from the China Manned Space Agency during a press briefing. The crew's return coincides with intensified international interest in Asia's expanding role in space exploration, particularly following recent collaborative agreements between China and other APEC members.
