Space Junk Chinese Astronauts Landing Postponed

Three Chinese astronauts scheduled to return to Earth from the Tiangong space station have had their landing postponed. The China Manned Space Agency suspects their Shenzhou 20 spacecraft was struck by small space debris. Impact analysis and risk assessment are currently underway to ensure the crew's safety and mission success. The astronauts were due to land in Inner Mongolia on Wednesday, but will now remain at the station until further notice.

The Shenzhou 20 crew arrived at Tiangong in April, and their replacements on the Shenzhou 21 mission arrived last Friday, temporarily increasing the station's crew to six. Following handover ceremonies, the Shenzhou 20's departure was abruptly called off less than 24 hours later. Details remain scarce regarding the potentially damaged area of the spacecraft, the evidence suggesting space debris as the cause, and the expected duration of the delay.

The Shenzhou spacecraft consists of three sections: a landing capsule, crew living quarters, and a power and propulsion module. These modules separate before reentry, with the landing capsule using parachutes for a safe return while the others burn up in the atmosphere. The Shenzhou 20 crew is led by veteran Chen Dong, along with spaceflight rookies Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie, all awaiting their delayed homecoming after six months in orbit.

China's disclosure of this issue during an active mission is noteworthy. While the Tiangong station has operated smoothly since 2021, Chinese officials have been aware of space junk risks. Astronauts have performed spacewalks to reinforce external shielding against debris strikes. In 2023, the station experienced a partial power loss when debris hit a solar panel, necessitating repairs. The International Space Station has also encountered similar issues, highlighting the universal threat posed by even tiny pieces of space debris travelling at high speeds. If the Shenzhou 20 is irreparable, China has a backup spacecraft ready for a rescue mission.

Fuente Original: https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/11/landing-postponed-for-chinese-astronauts-after-suspected-space-debris-strike/

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