China has executed its first-ever emergency space launch, sending an uncrewed spacecraft to rescue three astronauts currently stranded aboard the Tiangong space station.
Emergency Launch to the Heavenly Palace
A Long March 2F/G rocket successfully lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China on Tuesday, 25 November 2025. The rocket carried the Shenzhou 22 capsule, which is now en route to the Tiangong space station on what the China Manned Space Agency has described as a "complete success."
This unprecedented rescue mission became necessary after the Shenzhou 20 spacecraft, which transported the current station crew on 1 November, sustained damage to its window from what is believed to be a space debris strike. The incident left the three replacement astronauts without a guaranteed return vehicle in case of emergency.
Critical Supplies and Repair Mission
The Shenzhou 22 spacecraft is carrying vital resources to support the stranded crew and address the damage. Medical supplies, space station spare parts, and a specialised repair kit for the broken window on the Shenzhou 20 craft are among the critical cargo.
According to state broadcaster CCTV, the damaged Shenzhou 20 spacecraft will remain in orbit for now and be brought back to Earth at a later date for thorough assessment. Space program officials determined it no longer met safety standards for transporting astronauts.
Background to the Space Station Crisis
The three astronauts currently aboard Tiangong arrived on 1 November using the Shenzhou 21 spacecraft, which has since returned to Earth carrying the previous Shenzhou 20 mission crew. That earlier crew experienced their own drama when their return to Earth was delayed by nine days following the window damage.
China's space ambitions have progressed rapidly in recent years, with the Tiangong station hosting its first crew in 2021. The country developed its own space station after being excluded from the International Space Station program due to US national security concerns, given that China's space program operates under military control.
The Shenzhou 22 capsule is scheduled to return the three stranded astronauts to Earth sometime in 2026, marking the conclusion of this dramatic emergency space rescue operation that highlights both the risks and capabilities of human spaceflight.
