Core Viewpoint - The Shenzhou-20 mission was urgently paused due to the discovery of a crack in the spacecraft's window, highlighting the increasing threat of space debris to manned space missions [2][8]. Group 1: Incident Overview - On November 5, 2025, the Shenzhou-20 mission was put on hold after astronauts reported an abnormal phenomenon at the edge of the window during a routine inspection [2]. - The initial assessment by the design team suggested a triangular mark that was difficult to identify, resembling something adhered to the surface [4]. - Further evaluation confirmed the presence of a penetrating crack, with the damage extending through the entire thickness of the glass [6]. Group 2: Space Debris Threat - The crack was preliminarily attributed to a space debris impact, estimated to be less than 1 millimeter in size but traveling at high speed, resulting in a crack measuring several millimeters [8]. - The increasing number of space debris poses a growing threat to the safety of spacecraft, satellites, and astronauts [8]. Group 3: Future Missions - The emergency launch of Shenzhou-22 has accelerated the development schedule for subsequent missions, with Shenzhou-23 expected to be completed two months ahead of schedule [8]. - The next crew will be designated as the "Shenzhou-23 astronaut team," leaving the "Shenzhou-22 astronaut team" as a permanent gap in the sequence [8]. Group 4: Engineering Insights - The incident serves as a reminder that the engineering team must maintain high standards and vigilance, as there is always room for improvement in manned spaceflight [10]. - Continuous success should not lead to complacency; instead, the team should strive for higher standards to ensure future achievements [10].
“神舟二十二号航天员乘组”将永远空缺