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Chinese Astronauts Delayed in Space After Suspected Debris Impact
14 Nov
Summary
- Three Chinese astronauts to return to Earth on Friday, over a week late
- Delay due to suspected impact from space debris on their spacecraft
- Crew continued working alongside new Shenzhou-21 astronauts at Tiangong station
On November 14th, 2025, three Chinese astronauts aboard the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft are set to return to Earth, over a week later than their originally scheduled landing. The delay is due to a suspected impact from tiny space debris on their spacecraft.
The Shenzhou-20 crew, consisting of Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie, had been expected to finish their mission at China's Tiangong space station last Wednesday. However, their journey home was postponed after the suspected debris strike.
Despite the setback, the Shenzhou-20 astronauts continued working and living alongside the newly arrived Shenzhou-21 crew, as the Tiangong station has enough capacity to support two crews in orbit. The Shenzhou-21 spacecraft, which transported the incoming crew, will now be used to bring the Shenzhou-20 astronauts back to the Dongfeng landing site in northern China's Inner Mongolia region.
China's rapid advancements in space exploration have been a source of national pride, with the Tiangong station being one of only two operating space stations worldwide, alongside the International Space Station. The country has recently broken records, including the longest spacewalk, and is preparing to welcome its first international astronaut to the Tiangong next year.
