HELSINKI — China is facing a significant challenge in maintaining emergency readiness for its Tiangong space station. Following the recent Shenzhou-20 incident, which revealed a crack in one of its windows, there are concerns about the country’s ability to respond quickly to future crises.
On November 25, the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft launched, serving as a lifeboat for the Shenzhou-21 astronauts. This mission was initially meant to support a crewed launch set for April-May 2026 but had to be expedited due to the situation with Shenzhou-20. The crack was discovered on November 5 during pre-mission checks, leading to an evaluation that made the Shenzhou-20 unsafe for the crew returning to Earth on November 14 via Shenzhou-21.
China’s human spaceflight agency, CMSEO, follows a “one launch, one on standby” protocol. With Shenzhou-22 now in space, there is a gap in emergency returns until Shenzhou-23 is ready at Jiuquan spaceport. Originally, Shenzhou-23 was set for a March 2026 completion. However, recent reports suggest it might be ready as soon as January 2026, which is two months ahead of schedule. This accelerated timeline is critical for restoring the emergency backup systems.
The Shenzhou-20 incident highlighted vulnerabilities in China’s space program. A tiny crack, reportedly over 10 millimeters wide, was enough to trigger the first-ever emergency launch to the space station. Insights from space experts suggest that even minor damages can lead to significant operational risks, making it evident that rigorous inspections and maintenance procedures are vital. As Andrew Jones, a space journalist, tweeted, the situation was prompted by a piece of space debris smaller than 1 mm, leading to a considerable response from the agency.
Meanwhile, the Shenzhou-20 is set to return to Earth uncrewed, but no exact timeline has been provided yet. CMSEO has taken precautions by sending a device on Shenzhou-22 that could potentially patch the crack if needed during a planned spacewalk by the Shenzhou-21 crew. This mission not only involved preparing the astronauts for their tasks but also improving their readiness to deal with unforeseen situations.
The astronauts aboard Shenzhou-21—commander Zhang Lu, Zhang Hongzhang, and Wu Fei—arrived at Tiangong on October 31. They are expected to stay for approximately six months. The next crew will launch on Shenzhou-23, with critical developments in spacecraft and launch vehicle production underway, spurred by the recent emergency situation.
This situation emphasizes the importance of robust contingency measures in space missions. As space exploration continues to grow, the ability to swiftly adapt to and rectify unforeseen problems will be crucial for the success of future endeavors.
Source link
China,human spaceflight,Long March 2F,Shenzhou 20,Shenzhou 22,Shenzhou 23,Shenzhou-21,SN,Tiangong
