China readies a lifeboat for stranded Shenzhou crew

"China is preparing for an early launch of the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft to rescue the crew of Shenzou-21, who were left stranded aboard the Tiangong space station after their emergency rescue of the Shenzou-20 crew earlier this month. As first reported by SpaceNews, an airspace closure has been announced, indicating that a launch from China is in the cards, most likely the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft and a Long March 2F rocket at approximately 0410 UTC on November 25."

"The saga began when space debris struck the Shenzhou-20 craft, leaving small cracks in the viewport window, and authorities deemed it unsafe. It is still attached to the station. Shenzou-21 arrived as scheduled and they did a crew swap, sending the Shenzou-20 crew home and leaving the Shenzou-21 crew aboard the space station. The situation illustrates the shoestring nature of resources aboard the Tiangong space station."

China is preparing an early unmanned Shenzhou-22 launch loaded with supplies to support and rescue the Shenzou-21 crew stranded aboard the Tiangong space station. An airspace closure points to a likely Long March 2F launch near 0410 UTC on November 25, though CMSA has not confirmed. Space debris cracked the Shenzhou-20 viewport, rendering that return vehicle unsafe and prompting an extended six-person overlap that strained station resources. After Shenzhou-22 docks, the damaged Shenzhou-20 is expected to return autonomously. China plans Mengzhou-1 resupply flights beginning in 2026.

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