China delayed the return of three Shenzhou-20 astronauts after a suspected strike by orbital debris on their reentry capsule. The China Manned Space Agency is investigating potential damage and will not proceed until it confirms the spacecraft is safe for reentry. Experts warn that even tiny fragments at orbital speeds can cause catastrophic damage; a 1 cm object can pack energy comparable to a hand grenade. Officials have not ruled out launching an unmanned rescue capsule as a contingency, and the crew have maintained morale aboard Tiangong.
Shenzhou-20 Return Delayed After Suspected Orbital Debris Strike on Reentry Capsule
China delayed the return of three Shenzhou-20 astronauts after a suspected strike by orbital debris on their reentry capsule. The China Manned Space Agency is investigating potential damage and will not proceed until it confirms the spacecraft is safe for reentry. Experts warn that even tiny fragments at orbital speeds can cause catastrophic damage; a 1 cm object can pack energy comparable to a hand grenade. Officials have not ruled out launching an unmanned rescue capsule as a contingency, and the crew have maintained morale aboard Tiangong.
17:26, 06.11.2025Science
Shenzhou-20 Crew Stay in Orbit After Possible Debris Impact
China postponed the planned return of three astronauts from the Tiangong space station after investigators concluded a small piece of orbital debris likely struck the Shenzhou-20 reentry capsule. The China Manned Space Agency has opened an inquiry and is still assessing potential damage and associated risks.
"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 under way," the agency said.
The three crew members launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in April and have spent about six months aboard Tiangong, which remains the only other fully operational orbital habitat besides the International Space Station (ISS). Their undocking was set for Thursday but was delayed so mission managers could prioritise astronaut safety and complete a thorough risk assessment.
Why tiny debris is so dangerous
Orbital debris ranges from defunct satellites and spent rocket stages to tiny fragments and micrometeoroids. At orbital velocities, even minute objects can cause severe damage: China Daily noted that a 1 cm object traveling at 10,500 mph can release energy comparable to a hand grenade. For reference, Tiangong orbits Earth at just over 17,000 mph.
"You don’t see them, and they are deadly," Christophe Bonnal, a space-debris expert at the International Academy of Astronautics, told The New York Times. The proliferation of debris has been worsened by events such as anti-satellite weapon tests — for example, a Russian test in late 2021 — which created clouds of additional fragments and increased collision risk.
Response and next steps
Officials say they are conducting inspections and analyses to determine whether the capsule remains safe for reentry. They have not confirmed whether Beijing will launch an unmanned Shenzhou as a previously discussed contingency (Plan B) to retrieve the crew.
Other orbital operators face similar threats: the ISS regularly performs avoidance manoeuvres to dodge tracked debris. Researchers are pursuing debris‑removal and mitigation techniques, but no large‑scale operational solution has yet been deployed.
Life aboard Tiangong
While the investigation continues, the crew appears in good spirits. Recent online videos showed astronauts using an onboard oven to cook chicken wings — a small morale boost during an uncertain delay.
What’s next: Mission controllers will complete technical inspections, hazard assessments and timeline reviews before authorising undocking and reentry. No firm return date has been announced.