A team of Chinese astronauts, part of the Shenzhou-20 mission, is currently stranded at the Tiangong space station after their return capsule was struck by space debris. The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced on Wednesday (November 5) that the crew, consisting of commander Chen Dong, fighter pilot Chen Zhongrui, and engineer Wang Jie, was scheduled to return to Earth on Wednesday but will remain in space while engineers assess the damage and conduct risk evaluations.
The incident occurred just hours before the crew was set to depart. The CMSA is analyzing the situation to ensure the safety of the astronauts and has not yet provided details on the extent of the damage. If the return capsule is deemed irreparable, the Shenzhou-20 crew may use the Shenzhou-21 team’s capsule to return to Earth, according to protocol.
The Shenzhou-20 crew has been aboard the Tiangong space station since April, conducting various tasks including scientific experiments and repairs. Their replacements, the Shenzhou-21 team, successfully docked with the station on October 31.
Space debris is an increasing hazard in low Earth orbit, and the CMSA is considering rescue plans to ensure the crew’s safe return. The situation is reminiscent of past incidents involving space debris, highlighting the growing concern over space junk and its potential impact on space missions.
The CMSA has not specified when the Shenzhou-20 crew will return to Earth, leaving their mission extended indefinitely as further assessments are made. The agency is committed to ensuring the astronauts’ safety and resolving the issue as swiftly as possible.
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