Archive · 18 Nov 2025
Three More Chinese Astronauts Stranded in Space Due to Capsule Shortage
Three Chinese astronauts are stuck in space because the capsule they were supposed to come back to Earth in was used by another crew.
Now, they have to wait for a new one, and experts are worried about their safety because of space debris.
Three Chinese astronauts (taikonauts) are stranded in space due to a lack of return capsules
The Shenzhou-21 crew's return was delayed after the Shenzhou-20 crew used their capsule
The Tiangong space station currently has no return capsule available
An empty replacement capsule is planned to be sent on November 24
Experts raise safety concerns for the stranded crew
- Who
- Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang (Shenzhou-21 crew)
- What
- Stranded in space due to lack of return capsules
- When
- Since October 31, 2022
- Where
- Tiangong space station
- Why
- Previous crew used their return capsule, and the replacement is not yet available
CMSA's Perspective
Experts' Concerns
Capsule Replacement
CMSA's Perspective
CMSA plans to send an empty replacement capsule on November 24
Experts' Concerns
Experts question the safety of the replacement crew during this period
- Mission
- Shenzhou-21
- Space Station
- Tiangong
- Stranded Since
- October 31, 2022
- Replacement Capsule Launch
- November 24, 2022 (planned)