🚀 Last November (Nov 2025), a tiny micrometeoroid fragment cracked the outer layer of Shenzhou-20’s porthole as it prepared to return to Earth. That glitch could’ve grounded the crew… or worse.
Incident overview
On Nov 4, astronauts spotted the crack using high-res cameras and a 40× microscope. After a three-day all-nighter, the China Manned Space Engineering Office confirmed: the glass was penetrated through and unsafe for re-entry.
Go time: Emergency response
China instantly activated its ‘launch one, back up one’ protocol. Shenzhou-22—already on standby—became the hero, targeting a launch in just 16 days instead of the usual 30–45.
Tech hustle
Teams ran assembly steps in parallel (rocket core, escape tower, spacecraft integration) and squeezed Shijian-30 satellite tests from five days to two by using three shifts/day. No shortcuts on quality—every check was green.
Crew swap & rapid return
The Shenzhou-20 crew stayed on station, trained with the Shenzhou-21 team, and rode back on Shenzhou-21 using a new 3-circle return trajectory. On Nov 14, they landed safely at Dongfeng—cheers all around! 👍
Shenzhou-22 lifeboat & supply ship
Unmanned, Shenzhou-22 carried the biggest cargo ever—fresh fruits, astronaut food, and gear to fix the crack. It docked perfectly to stand by as a lifeboat for the Shenzhou-21 crew.
What’s next?
Backup doesn’t stop: Shenzhou-23 is already in final assembly, ready to join the rolling rescue lineup. China just set a new bar for handling emergencies in space! 🌟
Stay tuned for more cosmic adventures!
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
