BREAKING: Three Chinese astronauts have successfully returned from space after a significant delay due to damage from space debris. The astronauts, originally scheduled to land on November 5, made their return using the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft instead of their damaged Shenzhou-20, as confirmed by the China’s Manned Space Agency.
The return, which occurred in the late afternoon at a remote site in the Gobi Desert, was marked by the deployment of a red and white striped parachute. This marks a crucial moment for China’s space program, which has been making constant advancements since its inception in 2003.
The astronauts—Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie—had been aboard the Tiangong space station for six months. Their return was delayed for a total of nine days after the Shenzhou-20 capsule was found to have tiny cracks in a window, likely caused by fast-moving debris in orbit. Officials revealed that millions of pieces of debris, some as small as a grain of sand, pose serious risks to space missions.
Authorities confirmed that the temporarily stranded crew had been “in good condition, working and living normally” while they continued experiments alongside a replacement crew that arrived during their extended stay. The astronauts conducted important scientific studies, including research on how weightlessness affects small mammals, which is vital for future space exploration.
The status of upcoming missions remains uncertain after this incident. While the space agency has confirmed that Shenzhou-22 will be launched, no specific timeline has yet been provided.
China’s ambitious space agenda includes plans to land a person on the Moon by 2030. The Tiangong space station, smaller than the International Space Station, serves as a testament to China’s growing capabilities in space exploration, particularly after being excluded from international collaborations due to security concerns.
As this story develops, the impact of space debris on future missions is a critical area to watch. The risks posed by these fragments, which can travel at speeds exceeding that of a bullet, underscore the challenges that astronauts face in maintaining safety in orbit.
Stay tuned for further updates as China’s space program continues to evolve in the face of these challenges.
