The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced on November 14, 2025, that the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft will remain in orbit indefinitely after safety inspections revealed microscopic cracks in its return capsule's viewport window. Engineers attributed the damage to a suspected collision with space debris during its mission.
While the spacecraft no longer meets crew return safety standards, CMSA confirmed it will continue supporting scientific experiments in low-Earth orbit. The agency emphasized this decision prioritizes astronaut safety while maximizing research opportunities, stating: "Our phased approach ensures mission continuity while maintaining the highest safety benchmarks."
This development comes as China advances its Tiangong space station program, with analysts noting increased focus on orbital debris mitigation strategies. The incident highlights growing challenges for spacefaring nations as near-Earth operations intensify.
