China Launches Shenzhou 22 in Emergency Rescue Mission

China has carried out an emergency spaceflight by launching the unmanned Shenzhou 22 spacecraft to ensure a safe return route for astronauts aboard the Tiangong space station. The mission was activated after a damaged re-entry vehicle left the current crew temporarily without a way back to Earth.

Emergency Launch from Jiuquan

A Long March 2F rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in Gansu province at 12:11 p.m. on 25 November. The China Manned Space Agency confirmed that Shenzhou 22 successfully entered its planned orbit. The spacecraft is now docked with Tiangong, securing an evacuation route for the crew stationed there since 1 November.

Incident with Shenzhou 20

The emergency deployment followed an earlier setback when the Shenzhou 20 return capsule suffered a cracked window, believed to have been caused by space debris. That damage forced a nine-day delay in the astronauts’ return to Earth. They were ultimately brought home aboard Shenzhou 21, which had arrived to deliver the replacement crew, leaving the new occupants without an immediate escape vehicle.

Mission Objectives and Cargo

Shenzhou 22 transported spare components for Tiangong, repair materials for the damaged Shenzhou 20 capsule, and fresh supplies for the crew. It will remain docked until April 2026 and is scheduled to return the current Shenzhou 21 astronauts to Earth. Officials noted that this marks China’s first emergency deployment of a crew-rated spacecraft, executed within 16 days due to existing launch-site readiness.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Shenzhou missions carry three-member crews for six-month rotations.
• Chinese protocols require a backup rocket and spacecraft on standby for every mission.
• Tiangong began hosting crews in 2021 and is smaller than the International Space Station.
• The Shenzhou 20 capsule suffered damage likely from orbital debris impact.

China’s Expanding Human Spaceflight Capability

The rapid response highlights China’s maturing operational readiness in space as it continues its independent programme after exclusion from the International Space Station. Both China and the United States aim to land astronauts on the Moon before or by 2030, intensifying scrutiny of each other’s activities in orbit and beyond.