Archive · 1 Dec 2025
Damaged Shenzhou-20 to Return Uncrewed
The Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, which was supposed to bring astronauts back to Earth from the Tiangong space station, had a small crack in its window.
This crack was caused by a tiny piece of space debris.
Because of this damage, the astronauts had to come back to Earth on a different spacecraft.
The damaged Shenzhou-20 will now return to Earth without any astronauts so that experts can study the crack and make sure it doesn't happen again.
The crack is small, but it could have been very dangerous if it got bigger while the astronauts were inside.
The space agency in China is taking this very seriously to keep the astronauts safe.
Shenzhou-20 spacecraft found with a crack in the return capsule window before takeoff.
Crew returned to Earth via a different spacecraft on November 14.
Damaged Shenzhou-20 will return uncrewed for inspection and data collection.
Crack caused by space debris smaller than 1 millimeter, extending over 1 centimeter.
Decision to delay return based on worst-case scenario of cabin depressurization.
- Who
- China Manned Space Agency and Shenzhou-20 crew
- What
- Damaged Shenzhou-20 spacecraft to return uncrewed for inspection
- When
- Planned return on November 5, actual return date not specified
- Where
- Tiangong space station and Earth
- Why
- To assess the damage and ensure safety of future missions
- Spacecraft
- Shenzhou-20
- Damage Type
- Crack in return capsule window
- Crew Status
- Returned to Earth via different spacecraft
- Return Plan
- Uncrewed return for inspection
- Space Debris Size
- Less than 1 millimeter
- Crack Size
- Over 1 centimeter
- Space Station
- Tiangong
- Emergency Launch Date
- November 25