Three Chinese astronauts stranded aboard the Tiangong space station after their original spacecraft was damaged by space debris will return to Earth on Friday using their replacement crew’s vehicle.
Key Takeaways
- Three astronauts stranded on Tiangong space station after Shenzhou-20 spacecraft damage
- They will return using Shenzhou-21 spacecraft that brought replacement crew
- All astronauts reported in good condition despite the incident
- China maintains 2030 target for manned moon landing
The crew — Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie — had been stationed at the Tiangong since April as part of a six-month rotation. They were originally scheduled to return four days after the new crew arrived on November 1.
Their return plans were disrupted when the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft was reportedly struck by space debris. Chinese state media confirmed the astronauts will now return using the Shenzhou-21 craft instead.
China’s Manned Space Engineering Office stated all astronauts remain “in good condition, working and living normally” despite the incident.
China’s Expanding Space Ambitions
China has made significant strides in space exploration since 2003, culminating in the construction of its own space station. The country has set a firm target of landing humans on the moon by 2030, with plans to establish a lunar base.
“Our fixed goal of China landing a person on the moon by 2030 is firm,” the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said.
The recent Shenzhou-21 mission marked another milestone, carrying four lab mice (two male and two female) for China’s first in-orbit rodent experiments.
Tiangong: China’s Space Station
The Tiangong space station, meaning “Heavenly Palace,” represents the pinnacle of China’s space program. Beijing has invested billions in the station as it races to catch up with space powers like the United States and Russia.
This effort gained urgency after China was excluded from the International Space Station due to U.S. national security concerns regarding the Chinese space program’s connections to the People’s Liberation Army.
