China's Shenzhou-21 astronauts complete handover, ready for returning to Earth

China’s orbiting outpost sees smooth crew transition ahead of return to Earth

Last updated: May 28, 2026 | 14:10

1 MIN READ

A Long March-2F carrier rocket, carrying the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft and a crew of three astronauts, lifts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in the Gobi desert, in northwest China on October 31, 2025.

AFP

JIUQUAN: China's Shenzhou-21 and Shenzhou-23 astronaut crews held a handover ceremony on Thursday, during which the Shenzhou-21 crew transferred the keys of the country's space station to the latter.

The Shenzhou-21 crew has now completed all planned tasks.

The three astronauts will take the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft and return to the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in the coming few days, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

Also In This Package

Ultrasound machine critical during ISS medical crisis

China's astronauts to return to Earth after delay

Shubhanshu Shukla returns to Earth from ISS mission

Spaceship carrying Indian astronaut docks with ISS