The Shenzhou-20 mission’s return to Earth has been delayed after its capsule was possibly struck by small pieces of space debris. The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced the cancellation of the crew’s departure, instructing the three astronauts to remain aboard the Tiangong space station. The astronauts, led by commander Chen Dong, have been in orbit since their launch on April 24.
The agency stated that the spacecraft is suspected of being struck by space debris, necessitating an impact analysis. However, they have not provided a new return timeline. The CMSA also did not detail the circumstances of the impact or mention the presence of the Shenzhou-21 craft, which docked with Tiangong last week for a planned crew handover. Under standard protocols, a backup spacecraft like Shenzhou-21 could be used to bring astronauts home if the return vehicle is deemed unsafe.
This incident underscores the growing threat that space debris poses to space activities. Space junk, consisting of defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and other fragments, orbits the Earth at high speeds, creating a collision risk for vital space station modules and other spacecraft. The Shenzhou-20 astronauts conducted four spacewalks during their mission to install debris shields and other external equipment, according to official reports.
While a prior Shenzhou mission was delayed by adverse weather, this marks the first time a Chinese crewed return has been postponed due to a suspected debris strike. The incident echoes other recent mission extensions, such as technical issues with a Boeing Starliner last year, which forced two NASA astronauts to remain at the International Space Station for nine months before securing a ride home on a different vessel.