China's decision to delay the return of its Shenzhou 20 astronauts from the country's space station due to a possible space debris impact has led to yet another "stranded in space" state of affairs. The situation is also sparking discussion of space rescue planning — or lack of it.

That trio of Chinese astronauts — Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie — have been orbiting Earth for more than six months. Prior to the landing delay, the Shenzhou 20 trio had handed over operation of the Tiangong space station to the newly arrived Shenzhou 21 crew. They were due to return back to Earth under parachute on Nov. 5., but the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced the landing wave-off the same day, explaining that the crew's spacecraft "is suspected of being struck by small space debris and i

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