Chinese Astronauts Stranded in Space After Shuttle Return

Three astronauts from China find themselves stuck in space after the shuttle meant to bring another crew back to Earth was used instead, leaving them temporarily abandoned.

Astronauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang are currently aboard the Tiangong Space Station as part of the Shenzhou 21 mission, awaiting another shuttle to bring them home.

The issue is that, according to the Chinese Manned Space Administration, the launch of Shenzhou 22—the only apparent option for their return—has only been indicated for an “appropriate time in the future,” which isn’t exactly reassuring.

This trio was slated to arrive at Tiangong on October 31, taking over from the current Shenzhou 20 crew, which consists of astronauts Wang Jie, Chen Zhongrui, and Chen Dong. They were set to work together for a bit, making the transition smoother, I think.

Typically, each Shenzhou crew member has a mission lasting six months, and a handover occurs where both incoming and outgoing crew members spend some overlapping days at the station, according to reports.

The Shenzhou 20 crew was supposed to return on November 5, but they encountered problems; their return capsule was struck by space debris.

CMSA stated, “The capsule does not meet safety requirements for manned return. Shenzhou 20 will remain in orbit and conduct related experiments.” Following several delays, the Shenzhou 20 crew boarded shuttle Shenzhou 21 and managed to return to Earth recently.

This means that by the time the Shenzhou 20 crew lands, they will have completed a remarkable 204 days in space, setting a record for the longest flight by a Chinese astronaut. However, the Shenzhou 21 crew might outdo that if they remain in limbo.

It’s a little puzzling why CMSA opted to return the Shenzhou 20 crew using a shuttle intended for a different team instead of waiting for a new one to be launched. I guess carrying capacity could have influenced their decision, given that the Tiangong is smaller compared to the International Space Station.

Interestingly, there’s talk about a spare lifeboat being readied to launch from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center within nine days, although it remains uncertain why this wasn’t deployed sooner.

There are reports suggesting that CMSA may be planning to launch an unmanned Shenzhou 22 possibly as early as November 24, aiming to provide a lifeboat for the stranded astronauts.

The damaged Shenzhou 20 capsule is likely to be detached and deorbited into the Pacific Ocean, while the Shenzhou 21 crew is still expected to complete their scheduled six-month mission as CMSA seeks alternatives for their return.