The Shenzhou 20 mission's three-person crew, including Commander Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie, has successfully completed their third extravehicular activity (EVA). The spacewalk, which lasted approximately six and a half hours, concluded on August 15, 2025, at 10:47 p.m. Beijing Time. During the EVA, Chen Dong and Wang Jie focused on enhancing the Tiangong space station's capabilities by installing debris protection devices, auxiliary extravehicular facilities, and conducting inspections and maintenance of external equipment. This mission marks a significant point, with the Shenzhou 20 crew having completed half of their six-month stay aboard the orbital outpost. Commander Chen Dong has now conducted a total of six spacewalks, setting a record for the Chinese astronaut with the most EVAs.
The Shenzhou 20 mission continues China's robust space exploration efforts, building on previous achievements and future ambitions. The crew is actively engaged in various scientific experiments, with plans to concentrate on research and technology tests in fields such as space life sciences, microgravity physics, space materials science, aerospace medicine, and advanced aerospace technologies. China remains on track with its ambitious goal of landing astronauts on the Moon by 2030, with key components for this endeavor, including the Long March 10 rocket and the Lanyue lunar lander, undergoing development and testing. The Tiangong space station, fully assembled in November 2022, is also slated for future upgrades and expansion, potentially evolving into a cross-shaped configuration to accommodate more extensive scientific research and international collaborations.