April 24, 2025

— A new crew of three Chinese taikonauts have arrived on board their country's space station, beginning a six-month stay only six-and-a-half hours after they launched.

China's Shenzhou-20 crew docked to the Tiangong ("Heavenly Palace") orbiting outpost at 11:49 a.m. EDT (1549 GMT; 11:49 p.m. Beijing Time) Thursday (April 24), where they joined the outgoing Shenzhou-19 crew for a handover period. Shenzhou-20 commander Chen Dong, now on his third spaceflight — his second to fly to the station — led Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie on their first mission.

"Although it's the third time, the excitement remains just as strong," said Chen Dong at a pre-launch press conference. "Every spaceflight is unique, and I look forward to gaining more experience and making new breakthroughs during this mission."

Chen, Chen and Wang lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, riding atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket. The launch at 5:17 a.m. EDT (0917 GMT; 5:17 p.m. Beijing time) was declared a "complete success" by China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) officials.

Shenzhou 20 crew on board Tiangong. Click to enlarge video in new pop-up window. (CMSA)

This six taikonauts now on board the three-module space station will spend the next five days together, as the Shenzhou-20 crew becomes familiar with their new on-orbit home. On April 29, the Shenzhou-19 spacecraft is scheduled to undock and return to Earth with Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze, who have been on Tiangong since October 2024.

After the Shenzhou-19 crew leaves, Chen, Chen and Wang will begin a half-year of conducting science research and maintaining the space station's systems. They are also anticipated to perform spacewalks to install debris shields and possibly the end effector for a robotic arm, as well as participate in educational and public outreach activities.

Among the investigations they will conduct are life science studies involving their other "crewmates" — zebra fish, planarians and streptomyces. A first for China, Chen, Chen and Wang will observe the regeneration of planarians, an organism capable of regrowing organs, according to CMSA spokesperson Lin Xiqian.

"This project will enhance our understanding of fundamental mechanisms of regeneration at the individual level and could provide insights into human health issues related to space-induced injuries," said Lin at a briefing on Wednesday.

The zebra fish will be used to continue bone mass and cardiovascular dysfunction research that was begun by the Shenzhou-18 crew in 2024, while the streptomyces studies will lay the foundation for developing microbial technologies and products utilizing space resources.

The three taikonauts are also slated to perform nearly 60 other experiments and technology demonstrations, ranging from the cultivation of vascularized brain organoid chips to preparing high-temperature superconducting material in space.

"Together, we're like a team with 'three heads and six arms' with each excelling in their roles," said Chen Dong.

The 46-year-old Shenzhou-20 commander earlier flew on the 2016 Shenzhou-11 mission to the Tiangong-2 space lab and then led the Shenzhou-14 crew for a six-month stay on the station in 2022. Before the Shenzhou-20 mission launched, Chen had logged 215 days in space, including 16 hours on three extravehicular activities (EVAs or spacewalks).

He is the first member of China's second class of taikonauts to fly into space for a third time.

Chen Zhongrui, 40, followed an interest in mechanics to lead him to becoming a fighter pilot and now a taikonaut.

"Since childhood, I have been fascinated by the workings of machines," Chen said. "I [also] have a natural aptitude for flying and my passion has driven me to delve deeper, constantly striving to be the best I can be."

Before being chosen with the third class of taikonauts in 2020, Chen had two encounters with China's earlier space travelers. In 2003, he met Yang Liwei, China's first citizen in space, when Yang visited Chen's flight academy soon after returning from space.

Later, during a training flight, Chen was unexpectedly ordered to help clear the airspace for the Shenzhou-10 crew as they returned to Earth in 2013.

"I am eager to behold our magnificent Earth from space and sense the boundless expanse of the cosmos," said Chen on Wednesday. "I'm equally thrilled to experience weightlessness and fulfill my dream of flying like a kung fu master."

Wang, 35, joined the taikonaut corps in the same group as Chen Zhongrui. Prior to that, Wang helped develop the micro-vibration suppression technology used on board Tiangong an engineer at the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), a division of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

"Now, I have finally achieved my first flight, I'm honored to contribute my efforts to advancing China's space endeavors," said Wang.

Shenzhou-20 is the 15th human spaceflight carried out by China's space program and the fifth crewed mission during the application and development stage of China's space station. Shenzhou-20 also marks the 571st launch of a Long March carrier rocket and the 20th mission for a Shenzhou spaceship.