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China to Launch Emergency Rescue Craft for Stranded Astronauts
Shenzhou-22 will launch uncrewed to deliver supplies and a safe return capsule after Shenzhou-20's damaged viewport left astronauts aboard Tiangong without an emergency lifeboat.
- On Nov. 25, China will launch an uncrewed Shenzhou-22 spacecraft from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center aboard a Long March 2F rocket to support the Shenzhou-21 astronauts' return.
- After a suspected debris impact on Nov. 5, CMSEO's assessment found a minor crack in the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft window, likely caused by space debris, failing safety criteria for crewed return.
- The Shenzhou-21 crew have been aboard Tiangong without a lifeboat for going on three days, and Zhou Yaqiang, official with the China Manned Space Engineering Office, said Shenzhou-22 will carry food, supplies and equipment.
- Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie returned Nov.14 to the Dongfeng landing area near Jiuquan and arrived Nov.15 in Beijing for quarantine, while the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft remains in orbit for experiments.
- Launch timing is constrained by orbital phasing, weather, range safety and 921 complex LS-91/43 readiness, though China keeps a Long March 2F and Shenzhou ready to launch in 8.5 days; Shenzhou-22 moved up from April–May 2026 to later this month.
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China plans to send an unmanned transshipping to assist them; its launch was scheduled for 2026 but is expected to take place on 25 November
·Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Three more Chinese taikonauts stranded in space as previous crew used their return capsule
China has three more taikonauts stranded in space after it brought back the Shenzhou-20 crew on the next crew's capsule. The Shenzhou-21 crew has no way to escape in case something else happens during their stay in space.
·Noida, India
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Total News Sources32
Leaning Left2Leaning Right3Center13Last UpdatedBias Distribution72% Center
Bias Distribution
- 72% of the sources are Center
72% Center
11%
C 72%
R 17%
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