Shenzhou XX capsule to return without crew after debris incident

After a potential space debris impact, the Shenzhou XX spaceship, currently docked with Chinas space station, will make an uncrewed return to Earth, according to Ji Qiming, a project spokesperson with the countrys manned space program.

Following a suspected debris strike on Shenzhou XXs viewport, the three astronauts originally scheduled to return to Earth aboard the spacecraft were redirected to Shenzhou XXI, which brought them home safely on Nov 14.

China launched the Shenzhou XXII on Nov 25 to provide a new return vehicle for the orbiting crew, completing the first emergency launch in the history of its manned space program.

During a subsequent spacewalk, the Shenzhou XXI crew, who are now undertaking a six-month orbit

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