Shenzhou-20 astronauts share experience after safe return from debris incident

The three astronauts from China's Shenzhou-20 mission met the press on Friday, marking their first public appearance since returning to Earth in November 2025.

The Astronaut Center of China (ACC) held a press conference in Beijing on Friday afternoon, during which astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie shared reflections on their 204-day space mission, which set a new record for the longest duration by a single group of Chinese astronauts.

When detailing emergency response mechanisms enacted prior to their scheduled return, the astronauts explained that upon discovering a triangular crack on the spacecraft's window, they immediately took photos for documentation and transmitted them to the ground team, who swiftly activated an emergency plan to ensure their safe return.

Experienced mission commander Chen Dong described the crew's complete trust in the ground team to manage unforeseen circumstances that led to a delayed return.

"First, we must trust the ground team, who would anticipate everything and develop the safest return plan for us. Second, we must believe in ourselves. As well-trained astronauts, we have the ability to manage various unexpected malfunction. I believe that with the collaboration of astronauts and researchers on the ground, our space home will surely go farther, more steadily, and for a longer time," he said.

During their mission, the astronauts completed multiple payload operations, conducted extensive scientific experiments and carried out four extravehicular activities.

"Our crew worked together with the ground team in unity and coordination, completing four extravehicular activities, several payload transfer tasks and a large number of scientific experiments. It was a fulfilling yet challenging mission," said Chen Zhongrui, a former air force pilot on his first spaceflight. "The path to exploring the heaven is long and arduous, but I firmly believe that China's space missions will succeed."

"From the ground to space, from learning to application, I have deeply felt the solid progress of Chinese space endeavors and the quiet dedication of countless personnel behind the scenes. In the future, I will accomplish each mission with full commitment, living up to the trust of the motherland and the people," said Wang Jie, also making his debut spaceflight on the Shenzhou-20 mission.

After returning to Earth on November 14, the crew have completed isolation recovery and rehabilitation and will now resume normal training following health assessments.

The crew's return, originally scheduled for November 5, was postponed due to safety concerns. They later used the return capsule of their successor crew from the Shenzhou-21 mission.