Feed: Slashdot
Feed Link: https://slashdot.org/
---

Title: China Delays Shenzhou-20 Crew Return After Suspected Space Debris
Impact

Link: https://science.slashdot.org/story/25/11/06/0...

China has delayed the return of its Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft after it
was suspected to have been struck by space debris while docked at the
Tiangong space station. "The Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft is suspected of
being struck by a small piece of space debris, and impact analysis and risk
assessment are underway," the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO)
statement Nov. 5 read. "To ensure the safety and health of the astronauts and
the complete success of the mission, it has been decided that the Shenzhou-20
return mission, originally scheduled for Nov. 5, will be postponed."
SpaceNews reports: CMSEO did not specify the location of the suspected
strike, the extent of any damage, or the data that indicated an impact. No
potential dates were noted for a return to Earth. The Shenzhou-20 spacecraft
launched April 24, carrying three astronauts -- commander Chen Dong and
crewmates Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie -- to the Tiangong space station. The
spacecraft docked at the radial port of Tiangong's Tianhe core module. The
crew have completed their six-month-long mission in orbit, and had handed
over control of the space station to the newly-arrived Shenzhou-21 crew Nov.
4. Checks on the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft could include telemetry and leak
tests, verifying guidance and propulsion systems, and screening for impacts
in accelerometer and acoustic sensor data. A key concern would be potential
damage to the spacecraft's thermal protection system or parachute deployment
structures, both critical for safe atmospheric reentry and landing. Tiangong
features a 10-meter-long robotic arm, capable of crawling, and a smaller,
more precise arm. These could be employed to position cameras and provide
closeup imagery of a potential impact. Crews may be able to conduct an
extravehicular activity (EVA) to assess the situation. Tiangong crews have
recently added debris shields during a number of EVAs; the same procedures,
tools, and arm support can be adapted for a Shenzhou inspection.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

---
VRSS v2.1.180528