The manned mission Shenzhou-20with three astronauts on board, has delayed his return to the Tierra after a possible impact of space debris against its capsule was detected. The landing was scheduled for November 5but the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) decided to postpone it preventively.
According to Associated Press (AP)the ship could have suffered minor damage to its outer structure due to orbital fragmentsprompting authorities to conduct additional inspections before authorizing the descent. The crew remains on station Tiangongwhere you will continue with maintenance tasks while technical reviews are completed.
A collision that alters the return schedule
According to Reuterslos ship sensors They detected a possible blow microdebris during maneuvers prior to uncoupling. Although vital systems remain operational, CMSA engineers are evaluating the integrity of the exterior panels and thermal protection, key elements for safe re-entry into the atmosphere.
So far, the Chinese agency has not communicated a new return date, but assured that the crew is in good physical and psychological condition. Astronauts have enough supplies to extend its stay in orbit for several more days, while teams on the ground analyze the possible consequences of the impact.
The growing threat of space debris
The incident revives global concern about space junka problem that affects all manned agencies and programs. According to the European Space Agency (ESA)more than 36,000 fragments of debris currently orbiting the Tierramany with the capacity to pierce the fuselage of a ship or destroy active satellites.
China I had already had to do evasive maneuvers in 2021 to avoid collisions with rocket debris. This time, the event tests the resilience of its space program and highlights the risks faced by low-orbit missions.
China accelerates its expansion in space
The postponement of the mission Shenzhou-20 It coincides with a period of strong momentum for the Chinese space program. Just a few days earlier, the country celebrated the successful launch of the Shenzhou-21which brought a new crew to the station Tiangong. Among them was Wu Fei32 years old, recognized as the China’s youngest astronaut to reach orbita symbol of the generational change within the country’s astronaut corps.
These advances consolidate the position of China as one of the world’s leading space powers. In recent months, the program Shenzhou has achieved technical milestones, such as the country’s longest recorded spacewalk, lasting more than nine hours, and has announced the future incorporation of foreign astronauts, including a representative of Pakistanto its orbital station.
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