China will return the damaged Shenzhou-20 capsule to Earth without crew so engineers can closely inspect a crack found in the return-window. The defect, discovered just before a planned Nov. 5 departure after a six-month stay on Tiangong, forced the crew to return in a different spacecraft nine days later. Officials say a particle of debris smaller than 1 mm likely caused a crack more than 1 cm long; a full forensic examination will take place after recovery. The findings will guide safety and design improvements in China's crewed space programme.
Damaged Shenzhou-20 to Return Uncrewed for Ground Inspection After Window Crack
06:44 PM, 12/01/2025Science
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