China Launches Emergency Shenzhou-22 Mission

China has successfully launched an uncrewed Shenzhou 22 spacecraft on an urgent mission to the Tiangong space station, marking the first emergency rescue launch in the history of China’s human spaceflight program. The spacecraft was sent after Shenzhou 20’s return capsule was found to have a cracked window, likely caused by a piece of space debris, leaving the station’s crew without a safe way home. In just 16 days, China prepared, tested, and launched Shenzhou 22, sending up supplies, tools, and a fully functioning return capsule. The mission highlights both the growing risks posed by space debris and the rapid growth of China's human spaceflight programs. With Shenzhou 22 now safely docked, Tiangong’s crew will return to Earth with the new capsule. Credit: CNSA