Three Chinese astronauts remain aboard the Tiangong station after the Shenzhou‑20 return capsule was struck by small pieces of orbital debris, CMSA says. Investigators are conducting an impact analysis and risk assessment but have not confirmed whether the strike occurred while docked or in flight. Shenzhou‑21, which docked on Nov. 1, could serve as the return vehicle if repairs cannot be completed; a backup craft could be launched from Jiuquan. The incident highlights the growing hazard posed by space junk and the need for improved international tracking and mitigation.
Space Junk Damages Shenzhou‑20, Temporarily Stranding Three Astronauts at Tiangong
Three Chinese astronauts remain aboard the Tiangong station after the Shenzhou‑20 return capsule was struck by small pieces of orbital debris, CMSA says. Investigators are conducting an impact analysis and risk assessment but have not confirmed whether the strike occurred while docked or in flight. Shenzhou‑21, which docked on Nov. 1, could serve as the return vehicle if repairs cannot be completed; a backup craft could be launched from Jiuquan. The incident highlights the growing hazard posed by space junk and the need for improved international tracking and mitigation.
11:41 PM, 11/10/2025Science
Three Chinese astronauts temporarily stranded after Shenzhou‑20 damaged by orbital debris
Three crew members remain aboard China’s Tiangong space station after the Shenzhou‑20 reentry capsule was struck by small fragments of orbital debris, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said as it opened an investigation. Officials have begun an impact analysis and risk assessment but have not yet said whether the damage occurred while the capsule was docked at Tiangong or during flight.
The affected crew—Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie—arrived at Tiangong in April aboard Shenzhou‑20 as part of China’s regular six‑month missions that ferry three‑person teams to the station to conduct experiments and maintain the outpost.
Handover and delay: The replacement mission, Shenzhou‑21, docked with Tiangong on Nov. 1 and began a normal handover period. Shenzhou‑20 was scheduled to undock on Nov. 5, but that departure was postponed after the suspected debris strike.
Return options: CMSA has not announced a new return timeline. Existing procedures would allow the Shenzhou‑21 vehicle to serve as the return craft if Shenzhou‑20 cannot be repaired on the station. In a more serious emergency, a backup Shenzhou spacecraft could be launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China.
How unusual is this? According to available reports, this is the first reported instance of a Chinese crew’s return being delayed because of a suspected collision with orbital debris. Previous Shenzhou returns have occasionally been postponed for weather or scheduling reasons, but a debris strike represents a growing and distinct risk to crews and orbital infrastructure.
Context and comparisons: The episode echoes recent extended stays by astronauts from other nations caused by spacecraft problems. In June 2024, two NASA astronauts who reached the International Space Station aboard Boeing’s Starliner remained there far longer than planned after technical issues with their capsule and eventually returned in March 2025 on a SpaceX Crew Dragon. Separately, NASA astronaut Frank Rubio stayed on the station for a U.S. record 371 days in 2022–23 after a Soyuz experienced trouble and a replacement vehicle was required.
Why space debris matters: Orbital debris—defunct satellites, spent rocket stages and fragments from past collisions—is an escalating hazard in low Earth orbit. Even small, fast-moving fragments can puncture or dent spacecraft and force costly evasive maneuvers. For example, in November 2024 a Russian cargo ship docked to the ISS fired thrusters for more than five minutes to increase distance from a piece of debris, creating an extra safety margin as it passed.
International response: The incident has renewed calls for greater global cooperation on debris tracking and mitigation. At a forum last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed collaboration between China and Arab countries on a space debris observation center as part of broader appeals for collective monitoring.
Next steps: CMSA investigators are assessing the Shenzhou‑20 capsule’s condition and the risks to its crew while officials consider whether to repair the vehicle on Tiangong, swap vehicles with Shenzhou‑21, or launch a replacement from Jiuquan. No decision has been announced.
Contributing reporting: Reuters. Original reporting for USA TODAY by Eric Lagatta.