Beijing, April 23, 2025 — China has officially named the three astronauts who will embark on the Shenzhou 20 mission to its space station, marking the latest step in the country’s fast-growing space exploration program. The new crew includes veteran astronaut Chen Dong and first-time spacefarers Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie, according to Lin Xiqiang, deputy director general of the China Manned Space Agency.
The mission is scheduled to launch Thursday evening from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, located on the fringes of the Gobi Desert in northwestern China. The trio will replace the current occupants of the Tiangong space station, who have spent 175 days in orbit since their deployment last October.
Chen Dong, a seasoned astronaut with two previous missions—Shenzhou 11 and Shenzhou 14—under his belt, will lead the team. During Shenzhou 14, Chen played a pivotal role in constructing the space station. His crewmates include Chen Zhongrui, a former air force pilot, and Wang Jie, an engineer from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, both of whom are making their debut journey to space.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Chen Dong expressed his excitement: “I feel immense pride and a sense of duty to return to space on behalf of my country. Each mission is unique, and I look forward to pushing the boundaries further this time.”
While on board, the astronauts will carry out a range of scientific experiments in space medicine and technology, conduct spacewalks, and continue enhancements to the station’s systems.
China’s decision to build its own space station stemmed from being excluded from the International Space Station program, largely due to U.S. concerns over the military involvement in China’s space activities. The Tiangong space station now stands as a symbol of China’s independence in human spaceflight.
In recent years, China’s space program has achieved remarkable milestones, including landing a rover on the far side of the moon and sending an explorer to Mars. The nation has also set its sights on sending astronauts to the moon by the end of this decade.
The outgoing crew is expected to return to Earth on April 29, completing another successful chapter in China’s space ambitions.
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