In an unprecedented move for its space program, China has executed its first emergency crewed launch, sending the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft on a critical rescue mission to the Tiangong space station. The mission was initiated after the astronauts' original return vehicle was deemed unsafe for re-entry due to a cracked glass porthole, effectively stranding the crew.
The Emergency Launch and Mission Details
The Shenzhou-22 spacecraft blasted off at 12:11 PM local time on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. The vehicle, launched atop a Long March-2F Y22 rocket, was carrying a vital payload of 600 kg of supplies. This cargo included fresh food, medicine, spare parts for the station, and specialized tools required to repair the damaged return craft, Shenzhou-20.
Demonstrating impressive efficiency, the spacecraft successfully docked with the Tiangong station in under four hours. This mission marks a historic first for the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), showcasing its ability to respond rapidly to in-orbit emergencies.
Why the Astronauts Were Stranded
The crisis began when the crew's designated return ship, the Shenzhou-20, was found to have developed tiny cracks in one of its windows. Officials suspect the damage was caused by an impact with space debris. This flaw made the vessel unsafe for a crewed descent through Earth's atmosphere, leaving the three astronauts without a functional escape pod.
The situation was exacerbated when the Shenzhou-21 capsule, which had brought the previous crew of astronauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang back to Earth on November 14, departed. With its departure, the current station inhabitants had no standby vehicle for a safe return, necessitating the urgent rescue mission.
Repair Challenges and Future Plans
Zheng Wei, a researcher at the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), provided insight into the complexity of the repair. He explained that completely removing the damaged glass was considered too risky. Therefore, the repair work would have to be conducted internally, focusing on reinforcing the structure from within.
While these reinforcement measures will allow the Shenzhou-20 to be used later as an unmanned cargo vessel to return to Earth, officials confirmed that the craft will not be used to transport astronauts due to the inability to guarantee complete safety for a crewed re-entry.
According to state broadcaster CCTV, the crew will now inspect the damaged area with the newly arrived equipment and determine the subsequent steps for the repair operation. The China Manned Space Agency has stated that the astronauts aboard Tiangong remain in good health and have continued their routine scientific work despite the situation.
This incident highlights the inherent risks of space travel and draws parallels to a similar situation earlier in the year when US astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) for nine months before their safe return.
