Tiangong: Expedition 9

Expedition 9 began with undocking of Shenzhou-19 on April 29, 2025.

Chen Dong and Chen Zhongrui performed the first spacewalk on May 22, 2025 (7h 59m). The Shenzhou 20 crew astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie worked closely together, and with the support of ground scientific researchers, the astronauts exited the core module node module and installed the space debris protection device that had been exited through the cargo airlock and transferred to the transfer position by the robotic arm to the predetermined position. At the same time, they carried out tasks such as inspection and disposal of extravehicular equipment and facilities. The extravehicular astronauts Chen Dong and Chen Zhongrui have safely returned to the Tianhe core module, and the extravehicular activities were a complete success. This is the first time that astronauts have exited the space module through the Tianhe core module node module since the space station entered the application and development stage. The astronaut extravehicular and cargo extravehicular missions were implemented in conjunction for the first time. Astronaut Chen Dong walked in space again after two years, and astronaut Chen Zhongrui performed an extravehicular mission for the first time.

During the second EVA on June 26, 2025 (6h 25m), astronauts Chen Dong and Chen Zhongrui completed the installation of a debris protection device and the inspection and maintenance of external equipment, as well as the installation of foot restraint adapters and interface adapters, which shorten future spacewalks by approximately 40 minutes.
Finally, they returned to the Wentian module.
The crew is currently making steady progress on various space science experiments. Next, they will focus on conducting research and technology tests in key areas such as space life sciences, microgravity fundamental physics, space materials science, space medicine, and advanced aerospace technologies.

At 07:09 UTC on July 08, 2025 the Tianzhou-8 cargo spacecraft undocked from the Tiangong space station and switched to independent flight. It is scheduled to carry out a controlled re-entry into the atmosphere in the near future.

A Long March7 Y9 rocket carrying Tianzhou-9 cargo spacecraft, blasted off at 21:34:23.045 UTC on July 14, 2025 from Wenchang Space Launch Site.
This time, the Tianzhou-9 cargo spacecraft carried about 6 tons of supplies, mainly to ensure the necessary items for the two batches of astronauts of Shenzhou-20-20 and Shenzhou-21 to live and work in orbit.
It is particularly noteworthy that two sets of new extravehicular space suits (4 years / 20 uses instead of 3 years / 15 uses) will be launched this time. These are extravehicular space suits independently developed by China.
In addition, the space gym equipment of the Chinese space station will be upgraded again. This time, a new set of core muscle training equipment will be launched, which will help astronauts avoid muscle atrophy in the microgravity environment of space. In addition, two sets of cutting-edge space science experimental devices will also be launched.
The Tianzhou-9 cargo spacecraft has successfully docked at the rear docking port of Tianhe, the core module of China's Tiangong space station on July 15, 2025 at 00:52 UTC.

At 14:47 UTC on August 15, 2025, after approximately 6 hours 47 minutes of extravehicular activities, Shenzhou-20 crew members Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie, working closely together with the space station's robotic arm and ground-based researchers, successfully completed their assigned mission. Astronauts Chen Dong and Wang Jie have safely returned to the Wentian laboratory module, marking the successful extravehicular activity.
During their extravehicular activities, astronauts Chen Dong and Wang Jie completed tasks such as installing the space station's debris shield and extravehicular auxiliary facilities, and inspecting extravehicular equipment and facilities. Astronaut Chen Dong has completed 6 extravehicular activities, becoming the Chinese astronaut with the most extravehicular missions to date.
The crew is now more than halfway through their space mission, and the various space science experiments they are undertaking are progressing steadily. Future research and technological experiments will focus on space life sciences, basic microgravity physics, space materials science, aerospace medicine, and new aerospace technologies.

With the safe return of two astronauts to the Wentian lab module, the Shenzhou-20 crew successfully completed their Wang in the late hours of September 25, 2025.
According to the China Manned Space Engineering Office, at 17:35 UTC on September 25, 2025 after 5 hours and 50 minutes of extravehicular activity, Shenzhou-20 astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie worked for close coordination. With the support of the space station's robotic arm and ground-based researchers, they successfully accomplished all planned extravehicular tasks. Astronauts Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie, who conducted the spacewalk, safely returned to the Wentian lab module, marking the complete success of the mission.
During the extravehicular activity, astronauts Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie completed tasks such as installing space debris protection equipment on the space station and inspecting external equipment and facilities. This mission marked the first time in China that two astronauts from the third batch of taikonauts jointly performed an extravehicular task. With this achievement, the Shenzhou-20 crew has now conducted four extravehicular activities, making it one of the two crews in China with the most spacewalks to date.
To date, the Shenzhou-20 crew has been in orbit for over 150 days. According to the plan, they will continue to carry out numerous scientific experiments and technological tests, and will celebrate the National Day and the Mid-Autumn Festival aboard the Chinese space station.

Expedition 9 concluded with undocking of Shenzhou-21 on November 14, 2025.