China's Shenzhou-20 return capsule touches down on Earth

The return capsule of the Shenzhou-20 spaceship is pictured at the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Jan. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Zhipeng)

JIUQUAN, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- The return capsule of the Shenzhou-20 spaceship, carrying no astronauts, touched down at the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region at 9:34 a.m. (Beijing Time) on Monday, 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 spaceship's return mission was a complete success.

The Shenzhou-23 spaceship, which will take over the rolling backup task, has arrived at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, the CMSA added.

China launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship on April 24, 2025, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission.

However, the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, originally scheduled to return the three astronauts to Earth on Nov. 5, 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, which are most probably caused by external impact from space debris, the CMSA said.

The return capsule of the Shenzhou-20 spaceship is pictured at the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Jan. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Zhipeng)

The return capsule of the Shenzhou-20 spaceship is pictured at the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Jan. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Zhipeng)

The return capsule of the Shenzhou-20 spaceship is pictured at the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Jan. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Zhipeng)

The return capsule of the Shenzhou-20 spaceship is pictured at the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Jan. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Zhipeng)

The return capsule of the Shenzhou-20 spaceship is pictured at the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Jan. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Zhipeng)