China launches emergency spacecraft to Tiangong station

(CLO) China successfully launched the unmanned Shenzhou-22 spacecraft to the Tiangong space station at noon on November 25, in a special mission to replace the damaged Earth-return spacecraft.

According to Xinhua News Agency, the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft, carrying 600 kg of supplies including food and equipment, was launched at 12:11 local time from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. The spacecraft is expected to automatically dock with the Tiangong station.

Shenzhou-22 spacecraft was launched on November 25. Photo: CCTV

The mission was carried out after engineers discovered small cracks in the windows of the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, which was scheduled to return three astronauts to Earth on November 14. The initial cause was determined to be a collision with space debris.

Due to the safety of the return journey, the Shenzhou-20 will be kept in orbit for research purposes. Meanwhile, the Shenzhou-21, which has completed its mission of returning its crew safely, will be replaced by the newly launched Shenzhou-22.

The incident poses a challenge for the current crew on the Tiangong station, which is scheduled to return to Earth around April 2025. However, the China Manned Space Agency asserted that the astronauts on the station "are working normally and in good health."

Source: https://congluan.vn/trung-quoc-phong-tau-vu-tru-khan-cap-len-tram-thien-cung-10319159.html