US EditionSpace Debris Delays Chinese Astronauts' Return to Earth
The Shenzhou-20 crew's return to Earth is delayed due to suspected space debris damage; the astronauts will stay aboard Tiangong while risk assessments continue, China Manned Space Agency said.
- On Nov 5, China Manned Space Agency said Shenzhou-20 delayed its return after a suspected debris strike, with impact analysis underway; it was originally set to land in northern China on Nov 5.
- In recent years, the rapid increase in space junk has raised concerns about collision risks, and the 2024 United Nations panel on space traffic coordination urged a shared orbital objects database.
- China has invested in laser monitoring technology and deorbiting `sails`, and Beijing says Tiangong performed two emergency avoidance manoeuvres in 2021 while Shenzhou-19's return was delayed one day by weather.
- The delay marks the first time a Chinese return mission faces debris-related postponement, while Beijing and Washington continue trading accusations over debris-creating behaviour.
- Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a joint `space debris observation centre` in 2024, while China's permanent mission to the UN accused the United States of past anti-satellite tests creating large debris fields.
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150 Articles
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China's Shenzhou-20 spacecraft – shown here hitching a ride on a Long March-2F carrier rocket – was hit by a piece of space debris. Pedro Pardo/AFP via Getty ImagesChina’s Shenzhou-20 spacecraft took a hit from a piece of space debris floating through orbit, causing Chinese officials to delay the spacecraft’s return from its Tiangong space station in early November 2025. In addition to stranding the three Chinese astronauts – called taikonauts –…
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