The return of the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft and its crew from China’s Tiangong space station has been delayed due to a potential impact from space debris. The China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) announced that the mission, originally scheduled for November 5, will be postponed as assessments are conducted to evaluate the risk and impact of the incident.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the CMSEO confirmed that the crewed spacecraft is suspected to have been struck by a small piece of debris. The office is currently performing an impact analysis to ensure the safety and health of the astronauts aboard. The specific details regarding the timing and nature of the debris strike remain unclear, with speculation that it could involve either a rogue piece of space technology or a micrometeorite.
Immediate Impact on Astronauts’ Mission
The Shenzhou-20 mission launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northern China’s Gobi Desert on April 24, 2023. It carried commander Chen Dong and his crewmates Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie to the Tiangong space station. Their replacements from the Shenzhou-21 mission arrived at the station on October 31, 2023, marking the beginning of their six-month rotation. Both crews will now remain aboard the Tiangong while the CMSEO conducts its assessments.
Leading up to the scheduled departure, reports indicated that the astronauts had no issues. On Tuesday, state media shared that the two crews dined on baked chicken, which had been prepared using an oven sent by the Shenzhou-21 team. They also executed a handover ceremony that formally transitioned operational responsibilities for the space station.
Concerns Over Space Debris
Objects in low-Earth orbit travel at speeds of approximately 8 kilometers per second (5 miles per second). Due to these high velocities, even a small piece of debris can inflict serious damage to spacecraft, particularly compromising essential systems necessary for safe reentry. Key concerns for the Shenzhou-20 mission include potential damage to the spacecraft’s heat shield and its parachute deployment hardware.
To assess the situation, the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft will undergo telemetry and leak tests, as well as evaluations of its guidance and propulsion systems. These tests will also screen for impacts noted in accelerometer and acoustic sensor data. The timeframe for these evaluations remains uncertain.
If the CMSEO determines that the Shenzhou-20 is unfit for the return journey and cannot be repaired in orbit, the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft will be used to transport the astronauts back to Earth. Should both spacecraft be deemed damaged beyond repair, a backup Shenzhou mission could be launched from the Jiuquan facility to retrieve the astronauts. A spare Long March-2F rocket and Shenzhou spacecraft are kept on standby at the launch center for emergencies.
This incident marks a notable development in human spaceflight, highlighting the increasing risks associated with space debris as more missions are launched. Experts are calling for enhanced measures to quantify and mitigate space junk in low-Earth orbit to safeguard future missions.
