China Delays Shenzhou-20 Crew Return After Suspected Space Debris Impact (spacenews.com)
(Thursday November 06, 2025 @05:00AM (BeauHD)
from the change-of-plans dept.)
- Reference: 0179979112
- News link: https://science.slashdot.org/story/25/11/06/0232232/china-delays-shenzhou-20-crew-return-after-suspected-space-debris-impact
- Source link: https://spacenews.com/china-delays-shenzhou-20-crew-return-after-suspected-space-debris-impact/
China has delayed the return of its Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft after it was suspected to have been [1]struck by space debris while docked at the Tiangong space station . "The Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft is suspected of being struck by a small piece of space debris, and impact analysis and risk assessment are underway," the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) [2]statement Nov. 5 read. "To ensure the safety and health of the astronauts and the complete success of the mission, it has been decided that the Shenzhou-20 return mission, originally scheduled for Nov. 5, will be postponed." SpaceNews reports:
> CMSEO did not specify the location of the suspected strike, the extent of any damage, or the data that indicated an impact. No potential dates were noted for a return to Earth. The Shenzhou-20 spacecraft launched April 24, carrying three astronauts -- commander Chen Dong and crewmates Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie -- to the Tiangong space station. The spacecraft docked at the radial port of Tiangong's Tianhe core module. The crew have completed their six-month-long mission in orbit, and had handed over control of the space station to the newly-arrived Shenzhou-21 crew Nov. 4.
>
> Checks on the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft could include telemetry and leak tests, verifying guidance and propulsion systems, and screening for impacts in accelerometer and acoustic sensor data. A key concern would be potential damage to the spacecraft's thermal protection system or parachute deployment structures, both critical for safe atmospheric reentry and landing. Tiangong features a 10-meter-long robotic arm, capable of crawling, and a smaller, more precise arm. These could be employed to position cameras and provide closeup imagery of a potential impact. Crews may be able to conduct an extravehicular activity (EVA) to assess the situation. Tiangong crews have recently added debris shields during a number of EVAs; the same procedures, tools, and arm support can be adapted for a Shenzhou inspection.
[1] https://spacenews.com/china-delays-shenzhou-20-crew-return-after-suspected-space-debris-impact/
[2] https://www.cmse.gov.cn/xwzx/202511/t20251105_57040.html
> CMSEO did not specify the location of the suspected strike, the extent of any damage, or the data that indicated an impact. No potential dates were noted for a return to Earth. The Shenzhou-20 spacecraft launched April 24, carrying three astronauts -- commander Chen Dong and crewmates Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie -- to the Tiangong space station. The spacecraft docked at the radial port of Tiangong's Tianhe core module. The crew have completed their six-month-long mission in orbit, and had handed over control of the space station to the newly-arrived Shenzhou-21 crew Nov. 4.
>
> Checks on the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft could include telemetry and leak tests, verifying guidance and propulsion systems, and screening for impacts in accelerometer and acoustic sensor data. A key concern would be potential damage to the spacecraft's thermal protection system or parachute deployment structures, both critical for safe atmospheric reentry and landing. Tiangong features a 10-meter-long robotic arm, capable of crawling, and a smaller, more precise arm. These could be employed to position cameras and provide closeup imagery of a potential impact. Crews may be able to conduct an extravehicular activity (EVA) to assess the situation. Tiangong crews have recently added debris shields during a number of EVAs; the same procedures, tools, and arm support can be adapted for a Shenzhou inspection.
[1] https://spacenews.com/china-delays-shenzhou-20-crew-return-after-suspected-space-debris-impact/
[2] https://www.cmse.gov.cn/xwzx/202511/t20251105_57040.html
ASAT Missile Test (Score:4, Insightful)
by BladeMelbourne ( 518866 )
Does anyone remember China blowing up a satellite around 2007, which received much international condemnation because of the amount of space debris is created?
Chinese can only copy west (Score:3)
Obviously the chinese saw starliner's delayed return from ISS and wanted to emulate it. They couldn't engineer the thrusters as badly as Boeing so they have had to fake an "impact". Pathetic.