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Shenzhou 22

Shenzhou 22 was an emergency Shenzhou mission launched without a crew on November 25, 2025. CMSA said the spacecraft was sent to Tiangong to provide a return vehicle for the three Shenzhou 21 astronauts after the Shenzhou 20 return capsule issue caused Shenzhou 21 to be used for the previous crew's return. Shenzhou 22 carried food, medical supplies, fresh produce, and equipment for the damaged Shenzhou 20 window, then docked with the Tianhe core module a few hours after launch. Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang later returned to Earth aboard Shenzhou 22 on May 29, 2026, completing a 210-day station mission. This AeroVia mission record intentionally has no mission-owned crew links because those astronauts' flight is already represented by the Shenzhou 21 crew mission.

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Identity

Aliases
Shenzhou XXIIShenzhou-22First Emergency Shenzhou Launch
Name
Shenzhou 22
Status
completed

Details

Astronauts
-
Description
Shenzhou 22 was an emergency Shenzhou mission launched without a crew on November 25, 2025. CMSA said the spacecraft was sent to Tiangong to provide a return vehicle for the three Shenzhou 21 astronauts after the Shenzhou 20 return capsule issue caused Shenzhou 21 to be used for the previous crew's return. Shenzhou 22 carried food, medical supplies, fresh produce, and equipment for the damaged Shenzhou 20 window, then docked with the Tianhe core module a few hours after launch. Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang later returned to Earth aboard Shenzhou 22 on May 29, 2026, completing a 210-day station mission. This AeroVia mission record intentionally has no mission-owned crew links because those astronauts' flight is already represented by the Shenzhou 21 crew mission.
Destination
Tiangong Space Station for uncrewed emergency logistics and as a replacement return vehicle for the Shenzhou-21 crew
End Date
2026-05-29
Launch Site
Outcome
Successfully completed China's first emergency human-spaceflight launch: Shenzhou 22 flew uncrewed to Tiangong with supplies and Shenzhou 20 window-treatment equipment, restored assured return capability for the Shenzhou 21 crew, remained docked as their lifeboat, and returned Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang safely to Dongfeng on May 29, 2026.
Programs
Start Date
2025-11-25
Vehicle Families

Links

Assets & Meta

Creation Time
July 8, 2026 at 14:31:38 UTC
Updated Time
August 22, 2026 at 01:29:16 UTC

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Affiliations
Search Name
Shenzhou 22 Shenzhou XXII Shenzhou-22 First Emergency Shenzhou Launch
Space Stations
Vehicles