Chinese astronauts return from space station after delay blamed on space debris damage

Three Chinese astronauts returned to Earth Friday after their original return plans were delayed by over a week due to damage to their spacecraft, likely caused by space debris.

The crew, who had been stationed on China’s Tiangong space station for 204 days—the longest stay for any Chinese astronauts—touched down in the Gobi Desert in northern China. The team had originally planned to return on November 5 using their Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, but instead returned in the recently arrived Shenzhou-21 vessel.

China’s Manned Space Agency reported that tiny cracks were discovered in a window of the Shenzhou-20 return capsule, most likely caused by a collision with space debris. This prompted officials to abandon the original return plan and improvise a solution using the replacement crew’s spacecraft.

“The path of human space exploration is not smooth,” said mission commander Chen Dong after emerging from the capsule. “It’s filled with difficulties and challenges. But that is exactly why we choose to walk this path.”

The return capsule deployed its distinctive red and white striped parachute before landing in the barren landscape, sending up a large dust cloud upon impact. About 30 minutes later, the astronauts were carried out one by one, placed in chairs, and transported away in orange trucks across the desert terrain.

The incident highlights the growing concern of space debris hazards. Millions of pieces of debris—ranging from defunct satellites to tiny fragments from launches and collisions—orbit Earth at speeds faster than bullets. These objects pose significant risks to operational spacecraft, space stations, and astronauts during spacewalks.

During their extended stay, the astronauts conducted experiments alongside the newly arrived crew. The Chinese space agency maintained throughout the delay that the stranded team remained “in good condition, working and living normally.”

Among the returning payload were four mice that had arrived on Shenzhou-21 about two weeks prior. These animals were part of a study examining the effects of weightlessness and confinement on small mammals, research that will aid in developing technologies for breeding and monitoring animals in space. Scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences observed that the mice adapted quickly to microgravity, successfully eating, drinking, and sleeping independently. The mice will undergo further examination at a hospital.

The return was broadcast live on Chinese state television CCTV, underscoring the program’s status as a source of national pride. A Chinese flag was prominently displayed near the landing site, flapping in the desert wind.

China’s space program has made significant strides in recent years. The country developed the Tiangong space station, which means “Heavenly Palace,” after being excluded from the International Space Station due to U.S. national security concerns. The Chinese program, controlled by its military, has also successfully explored Mars with a robotic rover and aims to land humans on the moon by 2030.

The Tiangong, which hosted its first crew in 2021, is smaller than the International Space Station, which has been in continuous operation for 25 years. While China’s space station is newer, both orbital facilities have faced challenges with crew returns.

The ISS has experienced similar delays, including a notable incident in 2024 when two NASA astronauts’ planned one-week test flight of a new Boeing crew capsule stretched to nine months due to technical problems with the spacecraft.

The Chinese space agency has confirmed that the next mission, Shenzhou-22, will proceed as planned, though they did not specify an exact launch date. This incident may prompt additional safety measures for future missions as China continues to develop its ambitious space program.