"However, that decision has now left the crew of Shenzhou-21, astronauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang without a vessel to return to Earth in case of another space emergency. On Friday, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced that the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft will be launched 'at an appropriate time in the future,' with the likely goal of bringing replacements for the Shenzhou-21 team."
"That future mission wasn't scheduled to launch until April 2026, but the space agency hasn't said if that timeline has changed since Shenzhou-21 was due to remain in orbit for six months. The current situation now mirrors the 286-day saga of NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore earlier this year, who lost their ability to get home when mechanical problems made their space capsule unsafe to use again."
Three astronauts — Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie — were stranded on the Tiangong space station for nine days after an unknown object severely damaged their Shenzhou-20 return capsule. Cracks were discovered in the capsule window, prompting Chinese officials to bring the trio home in the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft, which had carried their replacements to the station. The Shenzhou-21 crew of Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang are now without a designated return vehicle. The China Manned Space Agency announced Shenzhou-22 will launch at an appropriate future time, with an original target of April 2026, though the schedule may change.
Read at Mail Online
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