A group of Chinese astronauts have postponed their return to Earth after concerns arose that their spacecraft may have been struck by debris.
The three astronauts — Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie — were scheduled to return from space on Wednesday, Nov. 5, according to the Associated Press and CNN. However, China’s National Space Administration announced that their Shenzhou-20 spacecraft may have been hit by debris, prompting a delay.
State broadcaster CCTV reported that the astronauts’ return has been postponed, though no new date has been set.
“The impact analysis and risk assessment are under way,” the agency stated, emphasizing that the delay was made to ensure the astronauts’ health and safety, per CNN.
The trio had just completed a six-month mission when the potential collision occurred, according to the AP. Their replacements arrived at the Chinese space station on Saturday, Nov. 1.
CCTV aired a handover ceremony in which the departing astronauts symbolically transferred control of the station to the incoming crew.
“We are about to return to Earth, and now I am handing over the hatch key that symbolizes the right to maintain operations on this Chinese space station to you,” Chen Dong said during the event.
This situation follows a similar incident earlier this year involving American astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who spent nine months in space after their spacecraft encountered mechanical issues. Originally expected to be on a 10-day mission, the pair were stranded aboard the International Space Station from June 2024 to March 2025 before safely returning to Earth.
After their return, Williams said she and Wilmore tried to “make the best” of the unexpected situation.
“We planned, we trained, that we would be there for some part of a time, so we were ready to just jump into it and take on the tasks that were given to us,” she explained.
Wilmore added, “It’s not about me. It’s not about my feelings. It’s about what this human space flight program is about. It’s our national goals. And I have to wrap my mind around, what does our nation need out of me right now?”
