China launches ‘lifeboat’ spacecraft into orbit on an emergency mission six months ahead of schedule

China’s Tiangong space station has spent the past few weeks in an unusual and risky situation. The Shenzhou-20, which delivered the three new astronauts into orbit, was supposed to return their fellow three taikonauts to Earth.

However, tiny fractures discovered in one of the spacecraft’s windows made that impossible. Investigators believe the cracks were caused by a strike from orbital debris — a growing threat that has already forced major space agencies to rethink mission safety.

Once the damage was confirmed, Beijing had no choice but to scrap the capsule as a reentry vehicle and rewrite its flight schedule. China Manned Space Agency sent the Shenzhou-21, the only remaining flightworthy vessel, to return the previous rotation of taikonauts on the space station to Earth.

The rescue: A new Shenzhou launched six months early

On Monday, China launched a Long March 2F/G rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, sending the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft into orbit. The mission was originally planned for next year, but the emergency situation forced the CMSA to accelerate the timeline.

Unlike typical Shenzhou flights, which carry three astronauts, this one flew completely empty except for some parts and supplies for the space station. Its sole objective: to serve as a lifeboat for the crew currently living on Tiangong.

Eleven days of alarming vulnerability

For eleven tense days, the Shenzhou-21 crew was essentially stranded. If a critical failure had occurred on the station, they would have had no escape route. That risk disappeared this week after Shenzhou-22 successfully docked with Tiangong, restoring a vital safety margin.

With the new vehicle secured, China can once again guarantee a rapid evacuation if needed — a nonnegotiable requirement in crewed space operations.

What happens now to the damaged capsule?

The Shenzhou-22 will remain attached to Tiangong as the designated return ship for the current crew, who are scheduled to be replaced in April.

Meanwhile, the damaged Shenzhou-20 won’t be immediately discarded. Engineers plan to keep it in orbit for a while longer so researchers can use it for experiments and materials testing, especially valuable given the rising concern about micrometeoroids and orbital debris.

A fast-growing space program with rising ambitions

The emergency launch highlights both the challenges and the pace of China’s expanding space program. In recent years, Beijing has invested heavily in long-term lunar and planetary ambitions — from the Chang’e-4 lander touching down on the Moon’s far side to the Tianwen-1 mission reaching Mars.

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