China launches an emergency lifeboat to bring three astronauts back to Earth

"The rapid turnaround offers a "successful example for efficient emergency response in the international space industry," the space agency said. "It vividly embodies the spirit of manned spaceflight: exceptionally hardworking, exceptionally capable, exceptionally resilient, and exceptionally dedicated." Now, 20 days after the saga began, the Tiangong outpost again has a lifeboat for its long-term residents. Astronauts Zhang Lu, Fu Wei, and Zhang Hongzhang will return to Earth on the Shenzhou 22 spacecraft next year, soon after the arrival of their three replacements."

"While this crew is just one month into their planned six-month expedition, an emergency could force them to leave the station and return home at any time. Although remote, another collision with space junk, a major systems failure, or a medical emergency involving one of the astronauts could trigger an evacuation. That's why Chinese officials wanted to quickly launch Shenzhou 22 to give the crew a ticket home."

"The International Space Station follows the same policy, with SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft and Russian Soyuz ships serving as lifeboats until their crews' scheduled return to Earth. The situation with the damaged Shenzhou 20 spacecraft is a reminder of two recent incidents on the ISS. First, in 2022, a Soyuz crew ship that was docked at the ISS sprang a coolant leak-also due to a suspected space debris strike-spraying a shower of frozen ammonia crystals into space and rendering it unsafe to bring its crew home."

Shenzhou 22 launched rapidly to replace a damaged Shenzhou 20 and restore a docked lifeboat for Tiangong station residents. Astronauts Zhang Lu, Fu Wei, and Zhang Hongzhang will use Shenzhou 22 to return next year after their three replacements arrive. An on-orbit emergency such as orbital debris collision, major systems failure, or medical emergency involving one of the astronauts could force immediate evacuation, so a ready return vehicle is essential. The International Space Station maintains similar policies using SpaceX Dragon and Russian Soyuz spacecraft as lifeboats. Recent precedents include the 2022 Soyuz coolant leak suspected from debris and Boeing Starliner propulsion and helium issues last year that delayed crew return.

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