China launches Shenzhou-22 early after space debris damaged return capsule, ensuring three astronauts have safe way back from Tiangong station
BEIJING: China conducted an emergency unmanned spacecraft launch on Tuesday to rescue astronauts stranded aboard its space station.
The Long March-2F rocket carrying Shenzhou-22 lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China.
The accelerated mission became necessary after space debris damaged the Shenzhou-20 return capsule, making it unsafe for Earth re-entry.
Shenzhou-22 was originally scheduled for a crewed launch in 2026 but was launched early to provide a reliable return vehicle.
The Shenzhou-21 crew of Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang had been left without a safe way home after their predecessors used their capsule.
The three astronauts returned to Earth aboard Shenzhou-21 on November 14, nine days later than originally planned.
This left the relief crew temporarily stranded without a certified return vehicle.
China’s space agency confirmed the astronauts were “working normally and in good condition” before the rescue launch.
China is the third nation to achieve human spaceflight after the United States and former Soviet Union.
Excluded from the International Space Station since 2011, China has developed its own Tiangong station.
The country has recently sought international partners for its space program.
In February, China signed an agreement with Pakistan to recruit the first foreign “taikonauts” for future missions. – AFP
