US EditionChinese astronauts return to Earth after vessel damaged by space debris
- On Friday , Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie landed at the Dongfeng Landing Site after returning in the Shenzhou-21 return capsule from Tiangong.
- Damage to the Shenzhou-20 return capsule prompted postponement after tiny cracks in its viewport, likely caused by space debris, delayed the planned Nov. 5 return by nine days.
- After 204 days in orbit following their April 24 launch, the crew completed a Nov. 4 handover with the Shenzhou-21 incoming crew and were extracted about 30 minutes after landing.
- CMSEO said Shenzhou-20 will stay in orbit to continue experiments, while the Shenzhou-21 crew currently lacks a lifeboat and Shenzhou-22 will soon launch uncrewed to Tiangong.
- The episode highlights rising threats from space debris, as Tiangong crews installed debris shields and a 7-millimeter divot illustrates damage from tiny fragments amid growing risks.
136 Articles
136 Articles
Hartford Courant
https://www.poncacitynews.com/Chinese astronauts return to Earth after being stuck in space
By Bloomberg News Three Chinese astronauts who were stuck in space after debris crashed into their spacecraft have returned to Earth. The Shenzhou-20 crew successfully landed in Inner Mongolia at 4:40pm local time on Friday, state broadcaster China Central Television reported. The astronauts are in good physical condition and used the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft — the vehicle that had transported their replacements to the Tiangong space station — to …
Three Chinese astronauts who were aboard the Tiangong space station six months ago have returned to Earth, more than a week behind schedule, due to space debris.
Chinese astronauts return safely after 9-day delay caused by space debris damage to Shenzhou-20 capsule
Three Chinese astronauts returned safely to Earth on Friday after a nine-day delay caused by space debris damaging their Shenzhou-20 spacecraft. The crew departed the Tiangong space station aboard Shenzhou-21, while Shenzhou-20 remains in orbit to continue experiments.
Shenzhou-20 crew may be stranded; Could the U.S. mount a rescue?
FPI / November 14, 2025 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher Nov. 4, 2025 began a heady day in space for the six Chinese astronauts aboard the Tiangong Space Station, having consumed the first ever “air fried” meal in space of chicken wings. This was followed by the usual propaganda photos of Shenzhou-20 crew (Commander Chen Dong; […]
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