The China Manned Space Agency has initiated emergency plans to bring home the Shenzhou XX crew after a space debris impact prompted a delay in their scheduled return. Mission planners and engineers prioritized crew safety and carried out comprehensive simulations, hardware checks, and risk assessments for the Shenzhou XX spacecraft.
Teams at the Dongfeng Landing Site conducted intensive dr Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Nov 12, 2025
The China Manned Space Agency has initiated emergency plans to bring home the Shenzhou XX crew after a space debris impact prompted a delay in their scheduled return. Mission planners and engineers prioritized crew safety and carried out comprehensive simulations, hardware checks, and risk assessments for the Shenzhou XX spacecraft.
Teams at the Dongfeng Landing Site conducted intensive drills to ensure readiness for the crew's eventual return. All associated systems have performed numerous tests to confirm operational status and address any potential issues.
The Tiangong space station remains fully functional and can support two crews concurrently. Shenzhou XX astronauts continue their daily activities and collaborate with the Shenzhou XXI crew on ongoing scientific projects.
Mission commander Senior Colonel Chen Dong and crewmates Colonel Chen Zhongrui and Colonel Wang Jie were originally slated to return on November 5 after six months aboard Tiangong. The Shenzhou XX crew represents China's fifteenth manned space flight and is the ninth group to reside on the station.
The team's return was delayed when their spacecraft was struck by debris, a hazard that includes remnants of rockets, obsolete satellites, collision fragments, and other objects orbiting Earth. Such debris poses risks to spacecraft integrity and crew safety.
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