China Launches Uncrewed Shenzhou 22 to Tiangong Station
China has launched the uncrewed Shenzhou 22 spacecraft to the Tiangong space station, providing a return vehicle for the current crew after their original capsule was damaged by space debris.
China has successfully launched the uncrewed Shenzhou 22 spacecraft to the Tiangong space station, aiming to provide a safe return vehicle for the current crew after their original capsule was damaged by space debris. The launch occurred on November 25, 2025, at 04:11 UTC from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert.
The Shenzhou 22 mission was expedited following an incident where the Shenzhou 20 spacecraft, intended for the crew's return, sustained damage to a window, likely due to space debris impact. As a precaution, the Shenzhou 20 crew returned to Earth using the Shenzhou 21 spacecraft, leaving the Shenzhou 21 crew aboard Tiangong without a designated return vehicle.
The Shenzhou 22 spacecraft, launched atop a Long March 2F rocket, is carrying supplies and will dock with Tiangong to serve as the return vehicle for the Shenzhou 21 crew at the end of their mission. This uncrewed mission ensures the safety and continuity of operations aboard China's space station.