Shenzhou-20 Crew Capsule with Cracked Window Lands | China Space Station
The return capsule of the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, carrying no astronauts, touched down at the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region at 09:34 (Beijing Time) on January 19, 2026, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
An on-site inspection confirmed that the exterior of the Shenzhou-20 return capsule was generally intact and the items inside were in good condition, the CMSA said, noting that the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft's return mission was a complete success.
Meanwhile, the Shenzhou-23 spacecraft, serving as a backup, has arrived at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, the CMSA added.
China launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft on April 24, 2025, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission.
However, the Shenzhou-20 crew spacecraft, originally scheduled to return the three astronauts to Earth in November 2025, failed to meet the requirements for their safe return, according to the CMSA.
Tiny cracks have been found in the Shenzhou-20 return capsule's viewport window, most probably caused by an external impact from space debris, the CMSA said.
Duration: 1 minute, 31 seconds
Release Date: Jan. 19, 2026
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