China's Stranded Astronauts Make Safe Return from Space Station on Replacement Craft
Image Source: Internet
Chinese astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie have safely departed from the Tiangong space station on the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft, after their original vessel, the Shenzhou-20, was damaged by suspected space debris. The trio, who were on a six-month rotation at the space station, were originally scheduled to return on November 5. However, their return was delayed due to minor cracks in the window of the return capsule, which likely resulted from the impact. The astronauts were forced to use the Shenzhou-21, the same spacecraft that brought a new crew to the space station earlier. The Shenzhou-20 will remain in orbit, while the returning crew is expected to land safely in northwest China's Inner Mongolia region. According to China's Manned Space Engineering Office, the crew was in good condition, working and living normally despite the unforeseen delay. The delay has raised questions about the timing of future space station missions, which typically take place at six-month intervals. However, the office has announced plans to launch the Shenzhou-22 mission, although a specific date has not been confirmed. China's space program has been making steady progress since 2003, with the successful construction of its own space station and a goal of landing a person on the moon by 2030. The latest Shenzhou-21 mission also brought four mice to the space station to study the effects of weightlessness and confinement on the animals.
