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4h ago

China Delays Shenzhou-20 Crew’s Return After Suspected Space Debris Hit

The space agency will finish an impact assessment before setting a new landing date.

Image
A Long March-2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft takes off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
Astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie meet the press before embarking on their Shenzhou-20 spaceflight mission, at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu province, China, on April 23, 2025.
Shenzhou-20 and Shenzhou-21

Overview

  • CMSA postponed the Nov. 5 landing to the Dongfeng site after a suspected small-debris impact on the Shenzhou-20 return vehicle.
  • An impact analysis and risk assessment are underway, and officials have not announced a new schedule.
  • Shenzhou-20’s crew—Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie—completed an in-orbit handover with the newly arrived Shenzhou-21 team days earlier.
  • Two spacecraft remain docked at the Tiangong station as ground recovery teams maintain readiness at Dongfeng following drills and systems tests.
  • This is the first delay of a Shenzhou return attributed to space debris, according to The Straits Times.