Three Chinese astronauts whose return to Earth was delayed by space debris hitting their vessel last week landed in China on Friday afternoon, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

A three-person crew stranded at China's space station after their spacecraft will return Friday using the craft that brought the replacement crew up, state media said

The crew for China's next manned flight to its space station will include the country's youngest astronaut to undertake a space mission, authorities said Thursday, as well as four lab mice.

China has sent three new astronauts to its space station Tiangong as part of long-term space plans that include a moon landing.

JIUQUAN, China (AP) — China said Thursday it’s on track to land astronauts on the moon by 2030 as it introduced the next crew of astronauts who will head to its space station as part of the country’s ambitious plans to be a leader in space exploration.

China has created more space debris than any other country. But as its space program grows, it has more to lose from a collision than ever before.

The coming mission will mark the first international astronaut participation in China's space station program.

China's Shenzhou-20 spacecraft took a hit from a piece of space debris floating through orbit, causing Chinese officials to delay the spacecraft's return from its Tiangong space station in early November 2025.