On Friday, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced that the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft is unfit for a crewed return. Tiny cracks were spotted in the capsule's viewport window, likely from a hit by space debris. 😮🚀
Viewport windows let astronauts look out at Earth and stars, but they also have to be super strong. Even hairline cracks can compromise safety, so CMSA decided to keep Shenzhou-20 in orbit as a floating lab for more experiments.
Fun fact: Shenzhou means 'divine vessel' in Chinese, and this mission will now help scientists study long-term microgravity effects on materials and life-support systems. 🧪🔬
This incident highlights a growing issue in space: the clutter of old satellites and rocket parts. Every piece of debris poses a risk to active missions, and tracking junk in orbit is more important than ever.
While the safe return of astronauts is the top priority, Shenzhou-20's extended odyssey will still advance space science and technology. Stay tuned for updates on when our space heroes will head home! 🌟
Reference(s):
China's Shenzhou-20 spacecraft found unfit for crewed return
cgtn.com
