Possible space debris hit delays return of China’s astronauts

Nov. 5 (UPI) — The return of three Chinese astronauts in orbit has been put on hold after space debris caused damage as they geared up to head back to Earth.

China’s Manned Spaceflight Agency said Wednesday its Shenzhou 20 mission Commander Chen Dong and astronauts Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie will remain in space longer on China’s Tiangong space station after their return craft was hit by suspected debris.

“To ensure the health and safety of the astronauts and the successful completion of the mission, it has been decided that the originally planned return of Shenzhou-20 on Nov. 5 will be postponed,” according to China’s space agency.

In April, the Shenzhou 20 trio launched via Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert for a six-month rotation on Tiangong and arrived on board after a six-hour journey.

China has a goal to land a person on the moon by 2030.

China’s manned space program has executed around 37 flights, six of which were crewed by Chinese astronauts.

Its replacement Shenzhou 21 mission lifted at the end of last month for a six-month research visit.

Meanwhile, Chinese space agency officials said crew members from both missions will remain on Tiangong while Shenzhou 20’s spacecraft undergoes an impact analysis.