Chinese Astronauts' Return Delayed by Space Debris Incident
The return of three Chinese astronauts from the Shenzhou-20 mission to Earth has been postponed due to an unexpected event. Their spacecraft was reportedly struck by a small piece of orbital debris, prompting a thorough assessment of the impact and associated risks. This decision was made to prioritize the health and safety of the astronauts and ensure the mission's success.
The astronauts had been on a six-month mission to the Tiangong space station, which began in April. Their replacements, the crew of Shenzhou-21, had already arrived at the station. The incident occurred at an unspecified time, with no prior indications of any issues. State media reported on the two crews' activities, including a meal of baked chicken cooked on the space station's first-ever oven.
Yu Jun, a renowned aerospace and science communicator, explained that if the assessments determine the spacecraft is too high-risk to return, a 'Plan B' will be activated. This involves deploying a backup ship on Earth, which was already on standby. The Shenzhou-22 and Long March 2F launcher are in 'emergency duty' mode, ready to safely bring the astronauts back if needed.
China's manned space program has made significant progress, with 37 flights and six manned missions. The country aims to land a man on the moon by 2030. The Shenzhou-20 team's commander, Chen Dong, holds the record for the longest cumulative spaceflight by a Chinese astronaut, with over 380 days in orbit, and the highest number of spacewalks (six) by any Chinese astronaut.
Despite the US law prohibiting NASA from cooperating with Chinese astronauts, China has expressed its openness to international collaboration on the Tiangong space station. This incident highlights the challenges and risks associated with space exploration, even for experienced astronauts and advanced space programs.
