China's Astronauts Stranded on Tiangong Space Station Amid Crisis
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Three astronauts aboard China's Shenzhou 21 mission are currently stranded on the Tiangong space station due to a significant operational crisis. According to Ars Technica, the astronauts were initially set to return to Earth aboard the Shenzhou 20 spacecraft after completing a 204-day mission.
However, a piece of space debris struck the Shenzhou 20 capsule, causing minor cracks in its return window, rendering it unfit for the journey back. This incident prompted the Chinese space agency to alter the planned return operations at the last minute, leading to a scramble for alternative means of return.
As a result, the Shenzhou 20 crew, which included Commander Chen Dong, was forced to use the Shenzhou 21 vehicle for their return, leaving the Shenzhou 21 astronauts without a reliable lifeboat. Gizmodo reports that this unprecedented space debris incident has disrupted China's otherwise successful crew handover process over the past four years.
The Shenzhou 21 crew, which includes Commander Zhang Lu and Flight Engineer Wu Fei, arrived at Tiangong on October 31, 2023, and are now left with no immediate means of returning to Earth. The current crew of Shenzhou 21 is exposed to risk, especially since they lack a backup spacecraft in case of emergencies.
Space.com highlights that the Chinese space agency is prepared to launch an uncrewed Shenzhou 22 spacecraft to the Tiangong station as a contingency measure. However, no specific timeline was provided for this launch.
In addition, the ongoing situation underscores the increasing concern over space debris and its threats to human spaceflight. With an estimated 40,000 pieces of space debris currently being tracked in Earth's orbit, the risks associated with such incidents are becoming more prominent.
The incident has also been noted to be similar to past challenges faced by NASA astronauts, who experienced prolonged stays in space due to unanticipated issues with their return vehicles. While the Shenzhou 21 astronauts are currently safe aboard the Tiangong, their predicament raises serious questions about the safety protocols and operational readiness of space missions.
The China Manned Space Agency has stated it will take additional precautions to mitigate the risks of space debris in the future, but the immediate concerns for the astronauts remain critical as they await the launch of the Shenzhou 22 lifeboat.