China to Launch Empty Shenzhou-22 Lifeboat After Debris Damages Shenzhou-20 Capsule

China is preparing to launch an empty Shenzhou-22 spacecraft to the Tiangong space station after a piece of orbital debris punctured a window on the Shenzhou-20 return capsule, officially rendering it unsafe for crew re-entry. The emergency measure ensures that the three astronauts currently aboard Tiangong can complete their six-month mission safely.

Replacement Capsule Mission

An airspace closure notice indicates that China is planning to launch the uncrewed Shenzhou-22 lifeboat around November 25, 2025. The spacecraft will carry essential food, equipment, and supplies for the crew that arrived at Tiangong on October 31.

A Long March 2F rocket will conduct the launch. China Manned Space Agency officials told state media that pre-launch testing and cargo loading for the spacecraft are already underway.

The emergency capsule is necessary because the Shenzhou-21 mission, launched on October 31, did not bring its own return vehicle — leaving the crew temporarily stranded.

Space Debris Raises Safety Concerns

The debris strike once again highlights the growing threat of space junk in low-Earth orbit. Igor Marinin of the Russian Academy of Cosmonautics told Reuters that rising orbital debris has increased the likelihood of spacecraft damage significantly.

A similar incident occurred in late 2022, when a micrometeoroid struck Russia’s Soyuz MS-22 capsule docked to the ISS. Russia had to launch an empty Soyuz MS-23 to safely return the crew.

Spaceflight analysts have described such episodes as a “massive wake-up call” for global space-rescue planning. However, U.S. law still prohibits NASA from providing assistance to China’s space program, leaving Beijing to handle emergency contingencies independently.