China speeds up Shenzhou mission launch after damage to spacecraft

China has begun preparations to send the Shenzhou 22 spacecraft to its permanently inhabited Tiankong space station ahead of schedule. The launch was announced by state broadcaster CCTV in response to the recent damage to the Shenzhou 20, which disrupted the smooth running of the programme.

The new ship will be sent unmanned about half a year ahead of the originally planned date. Its main task is to ensure the safety of the astronauts on the station. The damaged Shenzhou 20 is believed to have been hit by space debris, rupturing the window of the return module.

As a result of the incident, the three-man crew had to stay on the station for nine days longer, with its members returning to Earth using Shenzhou 21. Thus, the new generation of astronauts who arrived two weeks ago did not have an emergency ship available after the departure of their colleagues.

The dispatch of Shenzhou 22 is to provide the necessary supplies, technical equipment and backup capacity for possible evacuation. The Tiankong station can host up to six people in the short term, but is designed for a crew of three in the long term.

(reuters, sie)