China Launches Shenzhou-22 Early After Damage to Previous Return Capsule

BEIJING_ China carried out an emergency launch of its unmanned Shenzhou-22 spacecraft on Tuesday after damage to a previous mission’s return capsule left the crew aboard its space station without a safe means to return to Earth.

The Long March-2F rocket carrying Shenzhou-22 lifted off shortly after midday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China, as shown in footage from state broadcaster CCTV.

Accelerated Launch Due to Capsule Damage

Shenzhou-22 had originally been scheduled for a crewed launch in 2026. The mission was expedited after a suspected space debris strike damaged the Shenzhou-20 return capsule, rendering it unsafe for re-entry. This incident temporarily left the crew stranded in orbit.

The Shenzhou-20 team eventually returned aboard Shenzhou-21 on November 14, nine days later than initially planned, leaving the relief crew without a reliable return vehicle.

Ensuring Safe Return for Current Crew

Recent Shenzhou missions have supported China’s Tiangong space station, rotating teams of three astronauts every six months. The accelerated launch ensures that Shenzhou-21 astronauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang now have a safe return option. Before the Shenzhou-22 launch, the China Manned Space Agency confirmed that the crew members were “working normally and in good condition.”

China’s Growing Role in Space

China is the third country to successfully place humans in orbit, following the United States and the former Soviet Union. Since 2011, it has been excluded from the International Space Station due to a U.S. ban on NASA collaboration with Beijing. China has since pursued partnerships with other countries, signing an agreement with Pakistan in February to include the first foreign “taikonauts” in its space program.