US EditionChinese astronauts face delayed return to Earth after spacecraft possibly hit by small debris
China's delay of Shenzhou-20's return is the first caused by space debris impact, prompting risk assessments amid rising concerns over orbital junk.
- On Nov 5, China Manned Space Agency said Shenzhou-20 delayed its return after a suspected debris strike, with impact analysis underway; it was originally set to land in northern China on Nov 5.
- In recent years, the rapid increase in space junk has raised concerns about collision risks, and the 2024 United Nations panel on space traffic coordination urged a shared orbital objects database.
- China has invested in laser monitoring technology and deorbiting `sails`, and Beijing says Tiangong performed two emergency avoidance manoeuvres in 2021 while Shenzhou-19's return was delayed one day by weather.
- The delay marks the first time a Chinese return mission faces debris-related postponement, while Beijing and Washington continue trading accusations over debris-creating behaviour.
- Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a joint `space debris observation centre` in 2024, while China's permanent mission to the UN accused the United States of past anti-satellite tests creating large debris fields.
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60 Articles
Three Taikonauten have to stay longer than planned at the Chinese space station Tiangong because their spaceship was apparently damaged by space debris.The spaceship Shenzhou-20 was allegedly hit by a "tiny" debris part, the Chinese agency for manned space travel (CMSA) announced on Wednesday.The impact assessment and risk assessment had not yet been completed.However, the return to Earth originally planned for Wednesday was postponed to ensure …
The return to Earth of a group of Chinese astronauts scheduled for today has been postponed until further notice, after their spacecraft was hit by a piece of space debris.
China delays Shenzhou-20 crew return after suspected space debris impact
China’s human spaceflight agency has delayed the scheduled return to Earth of a crewed Shenzhou spacecraft due to a suspected space debris impact. The post China delays Shenzhou-20 crew return after suspected space debris impact appeared first on SpaceNews.
Suspected debris strike delays Chinese spaceship Shenzhou-20’s return
A suspected strike by “tiny space debris” has delayed the return of the Chinese spaceship Shenzhou-20 and three astronauts, Beijing’s space agency said on Wednesday. A Long March-2F carrier rocket, carrying the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft and a crew of three astronauts, lifts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in the Gobi desert, in northwest China, on April 24, 2025. Photo: Pedro Pardo/AFP. “The Shenzhou-20 manned spacecraft is suspected o…
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