Shenzhou-20’s return delayed: The Shenzhou-20 return capsule may have been struck by small orbital debris while docked to Tiangong, postponing the crew’s planned November 5, 2025, re-entry. CMSA says Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie are safe and the station remains habitable. Engineers are performing sensor checks, camera inspections and telemetry reviews to assess re-entry risk. Possible outcomes include returning the crew in Shenzhou-21, waiting for Shenzhou-22, or clearing the original capsule if data show no critical damage.
Shenzhou-20 Crew Delayed After Suspected Debris Strike on Return Capsule
Shenzhou-20’s return delayed: The Shenzhou-20 return capsule may have been struck by small orbital debris while docked to Tiangong, postponing the crew’s planned November 5, 2025, re-entry. CMSA says Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie are safe and the station remains habitable. Engineers are performing sensor checks, camera inspections and telemetry reviews to assess re-entry risk. Possible outcomes include returning the crew in Shenzhou-21, waiting for Shenzhou-22, or clearing the original capsule if data show no critical damage.
08:17 PM, 11/19/2025Science
Three members of China’s Shenzhou-20 mission remain aboard the Tiangong space station after engineers detected what they believe may be an impact to the mission’s return module from small orbital debris. The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) says all three astronauts — Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie — are safe and uninjured while ground teams complete a thorough assessment before approving any re-entry.
What happened
Shenzhou-20 launched on April 24, 2025, and had been docked to Tiangong for routine operations and experiments. The crew’s planned return on November 5, 2025, was postponed after CMSA reported a suspected hit to the capsule’s return module. The agency has not released technical details or an official cause, but it said the suspected damage likely affected only the return module and not Tiangong’s core module.
Safety and station status
CMSA emphasizes that the Tiangong station remains habitable and fully operational, and that there is no immediate threat to the station itself. With the delay, Tiangong will temporarily host six crew members as the Shenzhou-21 crew joins the delayed Shenzhou-20 astronauts. Mission control continues to prioritize crew safety while engineers evaluate options.
Assessment under way
Engineers have begun a standard impact analysis that typically includes remote sensor checks, camera inspections from the station, and detailed reviews of telemetry covering cabin pressure, thermal-control systems and avionics. A formal re-entry risk assessment will determine whether the heat shield and the structure are intact enough for atmospheric descent. If the data indicate no critical compromise, mission control may clear the original capsule for return; if not, they will pursue alternatives.
Possible outcomes
CMSA is reportedly evaluating several options: returning the Shenzhou-20 crew in the docked Shenzhou-21 vehicle, extending the crew’s stay on Tiangong until Shenzhou-22 can be prepared, or clearing the Shenzhou-20 capsule if inspections show it is safe for re-entry. Any of these choices will depend on the engineering analysis and a final safety decision from mission control.
Why this matters
The incident highlights the growing hazard posed by orbital debris — fragments from retired satellites, spent rockets and previous missions — which can damage critical systems even when pieces are small. Re-entry modules are particularly sensitive because structural and thermal integrity are essential to protect crews during atmospheric descent.
Precedent and context
A recent comparable case involved two NASA astronauts who remained aboard the International Space Station after a returning vehicle malfunctioned; NASA ultimately arranged a different return vehicle to ensure their safe return. That example illustrates the kind of contingency options CMSA may consider if the Shenzhou-20 capsule cannot be cleared.
CMSA has released only limited public information so far. The agency’s next update should clarify whether the Shenzhou-20 capsule will be cleared for re-entry or if an alternate return plan will be implemented.