The return capsule of the Shenzhou-21 spaceship, carrying the Shenzhou-20 astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie, touched down at the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Friday, safely taking the three-member crew back home. At 11:14 Beijing Time (0314 GMT), the Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceship undocked from the space station combination. At 14:49 Beijing time (0649 GMT), the Beijing Aerospace Control Center issued a return command through the ground station, and the orbital capsule of the Shenzhou-21 spaceship separated from the return capsule. The brake engine then ignited, and the Shenzhou-21 return capsule separated from the propulsion capsule. The return capsule touched down at 16:40 Beijing time (0840 GMT) at the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said. The returned astronauts are in good physical condition, according to the medical staff on site. By 17:21 Beijing time (0921 GMT), the three members of the Shenzhou-20 crew had all left the Shenzhou-21 return capsule. Chen Dong, commander of the crew, was the first to exit the return capsule after it touched down on the Earth. He has become the first Chinese astronaut to accumulate over 400 days in orbit. Next, the astronauts will arrive in Beijing by plane and enter a quarantined recovery period. They will undergo comprehensive medical examinations and health assessments and start a process of recuperation. The crew, sent into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on April 24, 2025, spent 204 days in orbit, setting a new record for the longest in-orbit stay among Chinese astronaut crews. During their time in the space station, the crew members completed four spacewalks and multiple cargo transfer operations. Working in close coordination with ground-based researchers, they also conducted a large number of space science experiments and tests spanning fundamental physics in microgravity, space materials science, space life sciences, space medicine, and space technology. The crew's return, originally scheduled for Nov 5, was postponed due to safety concerns. Tiny cracks were found in the viewport window of the Shenzhou-20 manned spacecraft's return capsule, which are most probably caused by external impact from space debris, according to the CMSA. The agency said the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft does not meet the requirements for the astronauts' safe return and will remain in orbit to continue relevant experiments. The Shenzhou-22 spacecraft will be launched at an appropriate time in the future, according to the CMSA. Shotlist: In Space/Beijing, China - Nov 14, 2025: 1. Animation showing Shenzhou-21 spacecraft; 2. Shenzhou-20 crew in return capsule; 3. Split screens showing Shenzhou-21 in space, animation showing separation between return capsule, orbital module; 4. Animation showing return capsule adjusting attitude; 5. Animation showing return capsule reducing speed; Dongfeng Landing Site, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, north China - Nov 14, 2025 6. Return capsule in air; 7. Various of return capsule with parachute descending, touching down; 8. Various of return capsule on ground, ground crew; 9. Chen Dong, commander of Shenzhou-20 crew, sitting on chair; 10. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Chen Dong, commander of Shenzhou-20 crew (partially overlaid with shot 11): "Taking the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft home is very reassuring. The path of human space exploration is far from easy, filled with hardships and challenges. China's space program has withstood the test, and the entire project has delivered an outstanding result. We are grateful to our great motherland and to all those who have safeguarded our return. We are back! I'm proud of my great motherland." [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]; 11. Aerial shot of return capsule on ground, ground crew [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]; 12. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Chen Zhongrui, Shenzhou-20 astronaut (ending with shot 13): "Through the united efforts of our crew and the seamless coordination between the space and ground teams, we have successfully completed all assigned tasks and fulfilled the mission entrusted to us by the Party and the people. I feel very happy and fulfilled."; 13. Chen Zhongrui waving to ground crew; 14. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Wang Jie, Shenzhou-20 astronaut: "The quest to explore space is boundless, and in the future, I will continue to dedicate myself to this great cause, contributing to humanity's space endeavors."; 15. Wang Jie waving to ground crew; 16. Various of ground crew checking return capsule, carrying astronaut; 17. Various of ground crew, vehicles, return capsule; FILE: In Space - Date Unknown 18. Space station; 19. Various of Shenzhou-20 crew performing daily missions, conducting experiment, spacewalk; FILE: China - Exact Date and Location Unknown 20. Various of ground-based personnel in control room; FILE: In Space - Date Unknown 21. Various of Shenzhou-20 crew performing daily missions, conducting experiment, spacewalk; In Space - Nov 14, 2025 22. Various of Shenzhou-21 crew performing daily missions; Beijing, China - Nov 14, 2025 23. Various of technicians at Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center; FILE: In Space - Date Unknown 24. View of Earth from space station; 25. Astronaut in space station; 26. Space station; FILE: China - Exact Date and Location Unknown 27. Various of launch site facilities, rocket. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]