Space Junk Scare: China Delays Shenzhou‑20 Return After Suspected Debris Strike — What It Means for Astronaut Safety, Markets and the Space Race
China’s space agency has delayed the Shenzhou‑20 crew’s landing after a suspected orbital debris strike, with no new return date set. Both Shenzhou‑20 and Shenzhou‑21 remain docked at Tiangong following a completed crew handover. Backup plans include returning the outgoing crew on Shenzhou‑21 or launching an emergency vehicle. This marks the first debris-related delay for a Shenzhou return.
