China to Retrieve Damaged Shenzhou-20 Spacecraft Uncrewed from Tiangong Station

Damaged Shenzhou-20 to Return Uncrewed

The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) has confirmed plans to return the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft to Earth without a crew. The decision follows the discovery of a crack in the vessel's return capsule window, believed to be caused by a high-speed space debris impact while docked at the Tiangong space station. This marks the first instance in China's human spaceflight program where a crewed spacecraft has been deemed unfit for a manned return mid-mission.

Incident Prompts Crew Relocation and Emergency Launch

The damage to Shenzhou-20 was detected prior to its scheduled return on November 5, which was intended to bring back the three astronauts of the Shenzhou-20 mission after a six-month stay. Due to safety concerns, their return was postponed. The crew eventually returned to Earth on November 14 aboard the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft, which had delivered a new team of astronauts to the station in late October.

This unexpected situation left the newly arrived Shenzhou-21 crew temporarily without a dedicated return vehicle. In response, China executed its first emergency space launch, sending the uncrewed Shenzhou-22 spacecraft to Tiangong on November 25. The Shenzhou-22 successfully docked with the station, providing a safe 'lifeboat' for the current crew and ensuring their ability to return to Earth.

Inspection and Data Collection for Future Missions

The primary reason for retrieving the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft uncrewed is to allow for a thorough inspection and analysis of the damage. According to Ji Qiming, a spokesperson for the CMSA, the uncrewed return will 'obtain the most authentic experimental data' for subsequent missions. Jia Shijin, a designer of the Shenzhou spacecraft, revealed that preliminary judgment suggests the debris was 'smaller than 1 millimetre, but it was travelling incredibly fast,' resulting in a crack extending 'over a centimetre.'

The incident underscores the growing threat posed by space debris to orbital operations. Experts note that even tiny particles can cause significant damage at orbital velocities. The detailed study of the Shenzhou-20 upon its return is expected to provide valuable insights into mitigating such risks for future space endeavors.