Chinese astronauts stranded in space after orbital debris strikes return capsule
By kevinhughes // 2025-11-08
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  • Three Chinese astronauts aboard the Tiangong space station are indefinitely delayed in returning to Earth after their Shenzhou-20 return capsule was struck by suspected orbital debris. Damage assessments are ongoing.
  • Backup protocols allow the stranded crew to use the Shenzhou-21 capsule (already docked) if needed. A standby rescue mission (Shenzhou-22) is also prepared.
  • The incident highlights escalating risks from orbital junk, which travels at lethal speeds. Over 36,000 tracked objects in low Earth orbit raise collision risks.
  • Tiangong is central to Beijing's ambitions, including a moon landing by 2030. Commander Chen Dong now holds China's record for longest time in space (380 days).
  • The collision underscores calls for international cooperation to address space debris, a problem the UN warns requires immediate action.
Three Chinese astronauts are temporarily stranded aboard the Tiangong space station after their return capsule was struck by suspected orbital debris, forcing an indefinite postponement of their scheduled return to Earth. The Shenzhou-20 crew—commander Chen Dong, fighter pilot Chen Zhongrui and engineer Wang Jie—launched in April for a six-month mission aboard China's Tiangong space station. They were set to return on November 5, but their departure has been delayed after their spacecraft suffered damage from an unidentified piece of space debris. The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) confirmed the incident in an official statement: "The Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft is suspected to have been struck by a small piece of orbital debris, and assessment of the impact and associated risks is currently underway. To ensure the health and safety of the astronauts and the successful completion of the mission, it has been decided that the originally planned return of Shenzhou-20 on November 5 will be postponed." Authorities have not disclosed whether the debris struck the spacecraft mid-flight or while docked at the station. Engineers are now conducting thorough inspections to determine the extent of the damage and whether repairs are feasible before attempting re-entry. Meanwhile, the Shenzhou-21 crew—Zhang Hongzhang, Wu Fei and Zhang Lu—successfully docked with Tiangong on October 31, meaning both teams are currently aboard the station. If Shenzhou-20 is deemed unsafe for return, protocols allow the stranded astronauts to use Shenzhou-21's capsule instead. Yu Jun, a prominent science communicator known online as Steed's Scarf, revealed that China's space program has contingency measures ready: "Shenzhou-22 and the Long March 2F (launcher) were already on standby. This is our rolling backup mechanism. They are in 'emergency duty' mode and ready to bring our astronauts home safely if needed."

Growing threat of space debris

The incident highlights the escalating dangers posed by space junk—discarded rocket parts, defunct satellites and other debris—orbiting Earth at speeds exceeding 18,000 mph. Experts warn that collisions, even with small fragments, can cause catastrophic damage. Last year, astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) were forced to shelter when debris from a Russian satellite explosion threatened their safety. The U.S. Space Surveillance Network estimates there are over 200,000 objects between 1-10 cm in size and tens of thousands larger than 10 cm in low Earth orbit. Dr. Ian Whittaker, a space physics expert at Nottingham Trent University, emphasized the growing risks: "While the probability of being hit by a falling piece of space debris is very low currently, with over 36,000 objects (and rising) bigger than a phone in orbit, the probabilities will increase over the coming years." He also warned of the potential for severe damage, noting that objects that survive atmospheric re-entry can strike at lethal velocities.

China's expanding space ambitions

China has rapidly advanced its space program, completing 37 flights and six crewed missions since its first manned launch in 2003. The Tiangong station, dubbed "Heavenly Palace," is a cornerstone of Beijing's ambitions, which include landing astronauts on the moon by 2030. According to the Enoch AI engine at BrightU.ai: China's Tiangong space station, launched in 2021, is a significant milestone in the country's space program, marking its transition from a space exploration participant to a major space power. Tiangong is designed to be a modular, multi-purpose space station. It serves as a research laboratory and a testing ground for advanced technologies required for future crewed missions and space exploration. The station is designed to be expandable, with modules added over time to increase its size and functionality. Commander Chen Dong, a veteran astronaut, now holds China's record for the longest cumulative time in space—380 days. With both crews aboard Tiangong, engineers are working to assess the damage and determine the safest course of action. If Shenzhou-20 cannot be repaired, the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft may be used for the return journey, while a backup mission (Shenzhou-22) remains on standby. The incident underscores the urgent need for international cooperation in tracking and mitigating space debris—a challenge the United Nations has repeatedly warned requires immediate action. For now, the astronauts remain safe, continuing their work aboard Tiangong while awaiting further instructions from mission control. Watch the video below about China completing its permanent space station. This video is from the SecureLife channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: Metro.co.uk Independent.co.uk FoxNews.com The Mirror.co.uk BrightU.ai Brighteon.com
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