Shenzhou-20 spacecraft will return to Earth in unmanned mode.

The return of Shenzhou-20 to Earth in unmanned mode is expected to provide important experimental data for future missions.

The Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, currently docked at the Chinese Space Station, will make a return trip to Earth without an astronaut, after detecting a risk of damage from a collision with space debris.

The information was confirmed by China Manned Space Program spokesman Ji Qiming on December 1.

The three astronauts scheduled to return on Shenzhou-20 were transferred to Shenzhou-21 and landed safely on November 14.

Previously, on November 25, China launched the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft without a crew but only carrying cargo including space food, medical supplies, fresh fruits, vegetables, as well as equipment to handle cracked windows on the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft.

Shenzhou-22 will automatically search for and quickly dock with the complex on China's Tiangong Space Station. The spacecraft will then bring the three astronauts of the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft in orbit back to Earth.

According to the authorities, the crack was discovered in the observation window just before the original return date of November 5. The flight crew recorded video inside and outside the cabin to serve as a ground assessment.

In the coming time, the Shenzhou-21 flight crew may be assigned to inspect and reinforce the cracked area with specialized equipment transferred with the Shenzhou-22.

The unmanned return of Shenzhou-20 is expected to provide important experimental data for subsequent missions./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/tau-than-chau-20-se-tro-ve-trai-dat-trong-che-do-khong-nguoi-lai-post1080436.vnp