Shenzhou 20

Chen Dong

• Birthday: 12/12/1978
• Role: Commander
• Nationality: China
• First Flight: 10/16/2016
• Last Flight: 04/24/2025

Chen Dong (simplified Chinese: 陈冬; traditional Chinese: 陳冬; pinyin: Chén Dōng; born 12 December 1978) is a Chinese ...

Jie Wang

• Birthday: 09/01/1989
• Role: Operator
• Nationality: China
• First Flight: 04/24/2025
• Last Flight: 04/24/2025

Wang Jie is a Chinese astronaut selected as part of the Shenzhou program. He joined the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in June...

Zhongrui Chen

• Birthday: 10/01/1984
• Role: Operator
• Nationality: China
• First Flight: 04/24/2025
• Last Flight: 04/24/2025

Chen Zhongrui is a Chinese pilot and astronaut selected as part of the Shenzhou program. He enlisted in the People's Liberati...

Mission

Shenzhou 20

• Type: Human Exploration
• Orbit: Low Earth Orbit

Ninth crewed flight to the Chinese space station.

Due to damage sustained by the spacecraft's descent module porthole window by orbital debris collision found in early November 2025, the spacecraft was deemed unsuitable for crew return. Shenzhou 22 was launched without crew as replacement, and Shenzhou 20 will return to Earth without crew after EVA inspection by the onboard crew.

Location

Launch Area 91 (SLS-1 / 921)

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Launch Area 91 (SLS-1 / 921) has witnessed the launch of 28 rockets, including 28 orbital launch attempts. While Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China, has been the site for 277 rocket launches.

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center is a Chinese spaceport located between the Ejin, Alxa, Inner Mongolia and Hangtian Town, Jinta County, Jiuquan, Gansu Province. It is part of the Dongfeng Aerospace City (Base 10).

Rocket

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 2F/G

The Long March 2F is a Chinese orbital carrier rocket, part of the Long March 2 rocket family. Designed to launch the crewed Shenzhou spacecraft, the Long March 2F is a human-rated two-stage version of the Long March 2E rocket, which in turn was based on the Long March 2C launch vehicle. It is launched from complex SLS at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

The Long March 2F/G version includes longer boosters for increased lift capability, among other improvements.

Learn more about the Long March 2F/G

Agency

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground equipment. It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956.

Learn more about China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation