Shenzhou-20 crew describes window damage response and spacecraft swap

Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie publicly reviewed their Shenzhou-20 mission in Beijing on January 16, 2026, after returning aboard Shenzhou-21. CMSE's account provides new details of the window inspection and coordinated emergency response, rather than announcing another return flight. The crew found a triangular through-crack in a return-capsule window during final checks. Space debris was considered the preliminary cause. Photographs and observations were sent to ground teams before the decision to change spacecraft. CMSE says the sequence from discovering the problem through the crew's return and Shenzhou-22's docking took more than 20 days. Wang described life-support maintenance during six-person occupancy, while Chen Zhongrui discussed preparation for an EVA from the node cabin. By the briefing, the astronauts had completed isolation and rehabilitation and entered recovery observation. Returning to normal training depended on health assessment. The reported suspected cause is not presented as a final accident investigation finding.