On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, the Chinese mainland's Shenzhou-20 astronauts were celebrated with prestigious Space Service Medals for their outstanding contributions during a 270-day space adventure. 🚀
Commander Chen Dong received a First-grade Space Service Medal, while fellow crew members Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie earned Third-grade Space Service Medals and the coveted title of 'Heroic Astronaut'. 👨🚀🏅
Launched in April 2025, the Shenzhou-20 mission set a new record for the longest continuous stay by a single crew—over six months aboard the orbiting station. The team completed four spacewalks, seven cargo airlock operations and more than 120 equipment upgrades, all while running cutting-edge experiments.
During the mission, Chen Dong made history as the first Chinese mainland astronaut to exceed 400 days in space across three missions and six spacewalks. A dramatic moment came on November 4, 2025, when small cracks in the return capsule’s viewport delayed the crew’s homecoming. The team switched to Shenzhou-21 and touched down safely 10 days later.
The Shenzhou-20 spacecraft itself returned on January 19, 2026, after 270 days in orbit, capping off a journey that pushed the boundaries of the Chinese mainland’s space exploration program. 🌌
The awards highlight the grit, teamwork and scientific spirit of these astronauts, inspiring a new generation to look up and dream big. 🌟
Reference(s):
China's Shenzhou-20 crew honored with space service medals and titles
cgtn.com
