China launches mission to rescue astronauts stranded at space station
What's the story
China has launched an uncrewed Shenzhou 22 capsule on a dramatic rescue mission. The Long March 2F/G rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China earlier today. The rocket is carrying the Shenzhou 22 spacecraft toward China's Tiangong space station in low Earth orbit, where three Chinese astronauts are currently stationed.
Mission details
Shenzhou 22: A unique rescue mission
Unlike regular Shenzhou missions, which ferry three astronauts to Tiangong for six-month stints, the Shenzhou 22 vehicle is uncrewed. It will serve as a return vehicle for the three current residents of the orbiting outpost. These astronauts are part of the Shenzhou 21 mission that reached Tiangong on Halloween night. Their original ride home was pressed into service to bring back their predecessors from the Shenzhou 20 mission on November 14.
Departure postponement
Shenzhou 20's departure delayed due to window crack
The Shenzhou 20 astronauts were initially scheduled to leave Tiangong on November 5. However, a crack was found in their spacecraft's window, likely caused by space debris. Chinese space officials decided to delay the crew's departure for further investigation and eventually deemed the Shenzhou 20 craft unsafe for re-entry. This left the Shenzhou 21 astronauts in a precarious position without an escape route if something went wrong with Tiangong.
Mission continuity
Shenzhou 22's docking and future plans
If Shenzhou 22 docks with Tiangong as planned, the Shenzhou 21 astronauts will complete their half-year mission aboard the outpost. They will be replaced by the crew of Shenzhou 23, which is expected to launch in April 2026. The damaged Shenzhou 20 capsule will have to leave before this to free up a docking port for its successor. Chinese space officials plan to keep it in orbit for some experiments but haven't revealed when it would return.