China launches “rescue ship” for astronauts on Tiangong station

(Dan Tri) - China is preparing to launch the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft to the Tiangong space station, to act as a rescue ship and ensure a safe return for the crew working in orbit.

The Long March-2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft took off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (Photo: ET).

According to Reuters , the launch of Shenzhou 22 will take place at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center using a Long March 2F rocket at 11:11 a.m. today, November 25 (Beijing time).

The spacecraft, which will not carry astronauts, is designed as a backup ship, connecting to Tiangong to enhance safety for manned missions.

The mission, co-ordinated by international scientific organizations, marks an important step in China's manned space program.

Chinese state media confirmed that the fueling process was completed early in the morning, and all systems were ready for the 30-minute launch.

Media images of the Shenzhou-22 mission were also released, depicting the Long March-2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou spacecraft flying over the Great Wall to the Tiangong station against a starry sky.

The design is described as embodying the spirit of “launch readiness” and the confidence of “mission completion,” according to China Manned Space, the agency that oversees China’s entire manned space program.

Image depicts the Shenzhou 22 spacecraft heading towards the Tiangong space station (Photo: CNSA).

Earlier, the Shenzhou 20 spacecraft, which was used to bring its own crew back, was found to have signs of minor damage after an incident involving space debris.

Reuters quoted a source from China's manned space program as saying that small cracks appeared in the spacecraft's windows, forcing the management agency to re-evaluate its usability.

To ensure safety, China used the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft as the return vehicle for the Shenzhou-20 crew. This left the Shenzhou-21 crew currently on the Tiangong station temporarily without a return vehicle in case of an emergency.

Shenzhou 22 will act as a lifeboat - a rescue vessel permanently attached to the station. Once successfully docked, the ship will become an emergency evacuation vehicle and can be used as the main return ship at the end of the mission.

The early launch of Shenzhou 22 is considered by international experts to be a reasonable coordination step, ensuring the continuous maintenance of missions on Tiangong and preparing for the Shenzhou 23 mission, scheduled to take place in 2026.

The deployment of Shenzhou-22 is part of a long-term strategy to ensure safety, maintain emergency response capabilities and enhance mission reliability on the Tiangong space station, the China Manned Space Administration (CMSA) said.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/khoa-hoc/trung-quoc-phong-tau-cuu-ho-cho-phi-hanh-gia-tren-tram-thien-cung-20251125080957535.htm