DEPLOYDatabase

Robot model

Shenzhou

spaceproductionby China Manned Space Agency

Crewed spacecraft performing autonomous fast-rendezvous docking with the Tiangong space station.

Track Shenzhou
Manufacturer
China Manned Space Agency
Form factor
space
Maturity
production
Lifecycle
active
Deployments
2

The verified answer

As of Sep 2026, DEPLOY verifies Shenzhou, a space by China Manned Space Agency (production): 2 verified deployments on record. 2 sources back the record.

Overview

Crewed spacecraft performing autonomous fast-rendezvous docking with the Tiangong space station. It is a robotic system designed for physical AI applications. Key specifications include Autonomy level: autonomous fast rendezvous + docking, Form factor: space, Maker: China Manned Space Agency.

Verified vs. claimed

Maturity stage
production(Full-scale production deployment with repeat customers.)
Sources on file
View all sources →

Key facts

Autonomy level

autonomous fast rendezvous + docking

Form factor

space

Maker

China Manned Space Agency

Specs

Role

crew spacecraft

Autonomy

autonomous fast rendezvous + docking

Data & sources

Web sources

2

2 sources backing this record.View all →

Autonomy: verified vs claimed

What it actually does
Autonomous

Pricing

No verified price is on record for Shenzhou. Physical-AI systems are often sold through enterprise contracts or operated as a service rather than at a public list price.

How DEPLOY tracks pricing

Deployments (2)

  • Shenzhou at Low Earth Orbitoperational

    Shenzhou crewed spacecraft conducting regular rotational missions to the Tiangong space station since Shenzhou-12 in June 2021.

  • Shenzhou at Low Earth Orbitoperational

    Shenzhou-21 completed autonomous fast-rendezvous docking with the Tiangong space station in Low Earth Orbit approximately 3.5 hours after launch in November 2025, marking China's fastest crewed docking to date.

Free to use on your site, with a link back to DEPLOY.

Shenzhou on the deployment map

View the global map

Where Shenzhou is verified operating. Explore the deployment map by place and type.

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Recent activity

Every change to this record is dated, sourced, and independently verified where marked.

Full change history →

Deployment-verified media (1)

PRIMARY SOURCE
Courtesy of Xinhua

Chinese state media (Xinhua) footage of a Shenzhou crewed spacecraft docking with the Tiangong space station. Shenzhou is a crewed spacecraft with autonomous fast-rendezvous docking capability, attributed to the CNSA program.

From deployment: Low Earth Orbit

Safety record

1 incident on record (1 serious). Most recent: Oct 2025.

serious
1

Most recent: Oct 2025

Only active incidents are counted. Retracted incidents are excluded from this summary but remain reachable at their canonical URLs.

Incidents affecting Shenzhou (1)

Includes incidents linked directly to this model or to deployments of it. Retracted incidents are excluded from this view but remain reachable at their canonical URLs.

Sources (2)

  1. https://spacenews.com/shenzhou-21-completes-rapid-docking-with-tiangong-space-station-3-5-hours-after-launch/
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shenzhou_(spacecraft)

Common questions

What is Shenzhou?
Crewed spacecraft performing autonomous fast-rendezvous docking with the Tiangong space station. It is a robotic system designed for physical AI applications. Key specifications include Autonomy level: autonomous fast rendezvous + docking, Form factor: space, Maker: China Manned Space Agency.
How much does Shenzhou cost?
Shenzhou's price is not publicly disclosed. DEPLOY has no verified price on record for Shenzhou from China Manned Space Agency. Physical-AI systems like this are often sold through enterprise contracts or operated as a service rather than at a public list price; check the manufacturer for the latest.
Is Shenzhou actually deployed in the real world?
Yes. Shenzhou is independently verified in real-world operation on the DEPLOY registry, confirmed at named deployment sites with primary sources: not a concept, render, or demo-only.
Who makes Shenzhou?
Shenzhou is made by China Manned Space Agency, based in Beijing, China, founded in 1993.
Where is Shenzhou deployed?
2 verified deployments of Shenzhou are on the DEPLOY registry, including at Low Earth Orbit.
Can you buy Shenzhou?
Shenzhou is in commercial deployment and is sold to operators; contact the manufacturer to buy, and see the pricing section for any recorded price.
What are alternatives to Shenzhou?
On the DEPLOY registry, comparable space robots to Shenzhou include Chang'e Lander, Mira, W-Series Capsule, spacevan.
How does Shenzhou compare to Chang'e Lander?
Shenzhou and Chang'e Lander (China National Space Administration · 4 deployments) are both space robots on the DEPLOY registry. Shenzhou has 2 verified deployments on record. Compare both records for specs, safety, deployments, and verified-vs-claimed autonomy.
Is Shenzhou a top space?
On DEPLOY's intelligence score, which blends verified deployments, safety, adoption, media, and IP signals, Shenzhou ranks in roughly the top 40% of space models tracked by the registry.
What is Shenzhou's maturity stage?
Shenzhou is at the production stage on the DEPLOY maturity ladder (research, prototype, pilot, commercial, production). Production stage means high-volume manufacture and commercial-scale deployments are sustained.
Is Shenzhou safe?
Shenzhou has 1 active incident on record in the DEPLOY registry. 1 incident on record (1 serious). Most recent: Oct 2025. Retracted incidents are excluded from this count.
Methodology: Verified · 2 sources (no primary) · last reviewed 2026-07-22

Verification posture

Verified

Low confidence

Review state

Stable

Last reviewed 2026-07-22

Maturity + lifecycle

Maturity stage: production

Lifecycle: active

Architectural position

Cohort: space

Sources by quality tier

1
unclassified
Unclassified source
1
knowledge-base
Knowledge base

The framework is documented at /methodology. Corrections at /corrections. Reviewer: DEPLOY editorial team.

Methodology surface for Shenzhou.

Recent coverage

Shenzhou in third-party press

China launches Shenzhou-23 astronauts into space amid new race to Moon - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

May 25, 2026

China launches new spaceship, eyes longer space stay amid race with U.S. - Japan Wire by Kyodo News

May 25, 2026

China sends astronaut on year-long space mission as it eyes 2030 moon landing - Reuters

May 24, 2026