China Faces Challenge After Damaged Spacecraft Incident

Shenzhou-20 left at Tiangong as astronauts return on backup vessel

Three Chinese astronauts returned to Earth last week after their spacecraft, Shenzhou-20, was deemed unsafe due to debris damage. The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) decided that a cracked window made the vessel unfit for flight, forcing the crew to use Shenzhou-21 for their return. This backup spacecraft had only recently arrived at Tiangong station with the next crew, originally scheduled to stay for six months. The incident has left China’s space station without an immediate emergency return option for its current occupants.

Shenzhou-20 Declared Unfit

The Shenzhou-20 crew—Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie—were brought home aboard Shenzhou-21, which had been intended for use much later. Two weeks earlier, Shenzhou-21 had transported the replacement crew to Tiangong, China’s permanently inhabited orbital station. Leaving Shenzhou-20 behind marks the first time a Chinese spacecraft has been abandoned in orbit. The decision underscores the risks posed by space debris, which continues to threaten long-duration missions.

State media described the return as the first successful use of an alternative procedure in China’s space program. The astronauts also set a new record for the longest in-orbit stay by a Chinese crew. Despite this achievement, the situation highlights vulnerabilities in China’s space operations. Authorities have so far avoided public discussion of the risks faced by the Shenzhou-21 crew now stationed at Tiangong.

Risks for Current Crew

Tiangong currently hosts three astronauts, including Wu Fei, the youngest Chinese astronaut ever sent to space. With no functioning spacecraft docked, the crew lacks an immediate way to return to Earth in case of emergency. This unprecedented situation raises concerns about safety and contingency planning. Official coverage has focused on the successful landing of Shenzhou-20’s crew rather than the challenges ahead.

International comparisons point to similar incidents in other programs. In 2022, Russia faced a micrometeoroid strike on Soyuz MS-22, forcing the deployment of Soyuz MS-23 to bring the crew home. China’s Shenzhou design is based on the Soyuz, suggesting lessons may be drawn from Russia’s handling of such events. Experts believe Chinese specialists are studying these scenarios closely to prepare for potential solutions.

Next Steps for China’s Space Program

CMSA has announced that Shenzhou-22 will be launched at an appropriate time, though it was originally scheduled for April. Accelerating its deployment could provide the current crew with a safe return option. Meanwhile, the damaged Shenzhou-20 must either be repaired in orbit or removed to free docking space for future missions. Failure to resolve the issue would block new arrivals and disrupt Tiangong’s operational schedule.

Russian space analyst Igor Marinin suggested that if Shenzhou-20 cannot be fixed, it may be undocked and deorbited over the Pacific Ocean. Such a move would mirror procedures used by other space agencies to safely dispose of compromised spacecraft. The incident highlights the growing challenge of managing orbital debris and maintaining reliable emergency systems. China’s response will be closely watched as it continues to expand its long-term human spaceflight program.