Chinese Astronauts Install Debris Shields on Tiangong Space Station
Chinese astronauts have fitted new protection against space debris on the Tiangong space station, a month after a docked spacecraft was damaged by orbital junk, according to China’s manned spaceflight authorities. The move follows an incident that underscored the growing dangers of space debris for all nations operating in orbit.
Emergency Triggered by Shenzhou-20 Damage
In early November, a small piece of high-speed debris struck the return capsule window of the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft while it was docked at Tiangong, cracking the surface just before the crew’s scheduled return to Earth. The impact prompted China’s space authorities to postpone the return and instead bring the astronauts home aboard Shenzhou-21.
That emergency decision marked the first such event in China’s space programme history. It also led to an 11-day period during which the Shenzhou-21 crew remained on the station without a backup return vessel—a stark reminder of the operational risks caused by orbiting debris.
The incident highlighted the persistent threat of space junk generated by defunct satellites, malfunctioning equipment and anti-satellite weapon tests. These fragments can travel at speeds exceeding 27,000 kilometres per hour, making even tiny particles potentially catastrophic upon impact.
Protective Measures Installed During Spacewalk
To prevent similar incidents, two members of the Shenzhou-21 crew conducted a spacewalk on Tuesday, using Tiangong’s robotic arm to install debris shields, the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) said in a statement. The astronauts also inspected and photographed the damaged window of Shenzhou-20, which remains docked at the station.
The spacecraft will later be undocked and sent back to Earth uncrewed for analysis and repair. CMSEO added that the cracked window might be further reinforced during upcoming spacewalks.
Rising Risks in Earth’s Orbit
China’s swift response demonstrates the increasing need for protection measures as orbital congestion worsens. The country’s space programme, which has advanced rapidly over the past decade, now faces the same hazards confronting other major spacefaring nations, including the United States and Russia.
The episode serves as a reminder that as more satellites, rockets and spacecraft enter orbit, the risk of collisions and damage will continue to rise—posing challenges not just for science and exploration but for the long-term sustainability of human presence in space.
with inputs from Reuters
