Chinese Astronauts Faced Potential Stranding After Space Debris Hit Shenzhou-20 Spacecraft

The crew of the Shenzhou-20 mission experienced a harrowing situation in late 2025 when their return capsule was struck by space debris, potentially leaving them stranded on the Tiangong space station. The incident, described by the astronauts as China’s first spaceflight emergency, prompted a collaborative effort between the crew, ground teams, and the incoming Shenzhou-21 mission to ensure a safe return to Earth.

Discovery of the Damage

On November 5, 2025, Commander Chen Dong discovered a triangular mark on the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft’s viewpoint window during a routine pre-departure check. Initially, he considered the possibility of a leaf adhering to the window, but quickly dismissed this due to the impossibility of such an occurrence in space. Further inspection revealed cracks that had penetrated the window, raising serious concerns about the capsule’s integrity. Source

Collaborative Response

Astronaut Chen Zhongrui emphasized the calm and methodical approach taken by the crew and ground control teams. Communication was swift and effective, allowing for a coordinated assessment of the damage and the development of a recovery plan. Source

Return to Earth via Shenzhou-21

The original plan for the Shenzhou-20 crew to return to Earth on November 5th was abandoned. Instead, they transferred to the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft, which had delivered their relief crew, and safely landed in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on November 14, 2025. Source

Uncrewed Return of Shenzhou-20

The damaged Shenzhou-20 spacecraft was left to return to Earth uncrewed on January 19, 2026, concluding the mission. Source

Mission Details and Duration

The Shenzhou-20 mission launched on April 24, 2025, carrying a crew of three taikonauts: Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie. The mission lasted 269 days, 16 hours, and 16 minutes, setting a record for the longest crewed Chinese spaceflight at the time. Source The crew also conducted four extravehicular activities (EVAs), totaling 27 hours and 33 minutes, utilizing an automated foot restraint on the space station’s robotic arm for the first time. Source

Growing Concerns About Space Debris

This incident highlights the increasing threat posed by space debris to both crewed and uncrewed spacecraft. The growing quantity of discarded rocket boosters and other space travel objects creates a risk of collisions, necessitating the development of solutions to mitigate the problem. Source

Shenzhou Program Overview

Shenzhou-20 was the 15th crewed Chinese spaceflight and the 20th overall flight of the Shenzhou program. It was the ninth flight to the Tiangong space station. Source The Shenzhou-21 mission followed, launching on October 31, 2025, and docking with Tiangong later that day. Source