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China’s Space Emergency: Crew Members Recount Debris-Damaged Return Capsule

China’s Shenzhou‑20 crew discovered a triangular crack on their return capsule’s viewport caused by orbital debris, forcing a delay of the planned 5 November landing. An emergency, uncrewed Shenzhou‑22 cargo mission was launched on 25 November to deliver repair tools and supplies to Tiangong. The crew used a 40‑times microscope and other station equipment to document the damage before returning safely aboard a Shenzhou‑21 vehicle, while the damaged Shenzhou‑20 capsule re‑entered empty and survived. The incident marks China’s first emergency launch in its human‑spaceflight program.