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science21h ago
Damaged Shenzhou-20 spacecraft to return to Earth uncrewed for inspection
- China will return the damaged Shenzhou-20 capsule uncrewed to Earth for inspection, CCTV says.
- The crew had to switch vessels after a window crack threatened the mission, delaying the original return.
- A separate emergency launch sent a new flightworthy vessel to bring the crew home later.
- The damaged Shenzhou-20 capsule remains docked at Tiangong as investigations continue.
- State media described the crack as potentially dangerous but limited in size, guiding the decision to retrieve for study.
- China aims to obtain authentic experimental data from the uncrewed return, according to CCTV.
- Jia Shijin, a Shenzhou designer, discussed the crack's implications for flight safety and scheduling.
- The initial delay prompted China to launch an emergency mission 20 days after the setback.
- Tiangong station operations proceeded as the damaged capsule awaited assessment.
- CCTV provided televised updates on the capsule's status and the ongoing investigation.
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