The crew of China’s Shenzhou-20 mission, docked at the Tiangong space station since April, were due to return to Earth this week. However, their homecoming has been postponed indefinitely after their return capsule was suspected to have been struck by tiny fragments of space debris.

Three Chinese astronauts stuck in orbit after Sunita Williams, what went wrong with Shenzhou-20?

China’s Tiangong space station reportedly suffered a partial loss of power due to a space debris strike, state media reported. The incident took place during one of the spacewalks by astronauts of the Shenzhou 17 mission on March 1.&nbsp;

The space station, operated by China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), suffered a partial but minor loss of power supply after the outpost’s solar panels were damaged by space debris.&nbsp;

Even after experiencing glitches in the space station, spacewalks were a success, said CMSA on Wednesday in a press conference. The agency will look forward to guarding the space station from future space debris-related mishaps, reported Chinese state media.&nbsp;

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"The space station's core module Tianhe had suffered a partial loss of power supply due to the impact of the space debris on the solar wing's power cables," Xinhua news agency reported, paraphrasing CMSA deputy director Lin Xiqiang.

Though Xinhua did not specify if the debris was from micro-meteoroids or from human-made structures in space, both pose threats to permanently crewed space stations like Tiangong and the International Space Station (ISS).

<h2>Space debris is a menace to space stations. How is China tackling this?&nbsp;</h2>

Many reports by NASA show that human-generated orbital space debris is growing and would be the next biggest challenge for space companies.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) tracks more than 43,000 overall space objects as of April 2024, according to SpaceTrack.org.

There are more than 7500 active satellites in space right now, as per the Union for Concerned Scientists, most of them which are part of SpaceX’s giant Starlink network.

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Removing space debris is a difficult task. Instead, ISS controllers had to remove the space station out of the way of the debris. This is not an easy task either, as the guidelines for doing this are strict.&nbsp; A manoeuvre is mandated if any debris arrives in a "pizza box" roughly 2.5 miles by 30 miles by 30 miles (4 by 50 by 50 kilometres) with the ISS at the centre, according to agency officials.

With the help of NORAD, the ISS controllers have done this more than 30 times since its first modules launched in 1998.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;China's Tiangong space station faces equipment delay from India

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China's space station also has "executed manoeuvres on multiple occasions to evade space debris impacts", according to the Xinhua report, and Lin discussed several measures the CMSA is taking to prevent future issues.&nbsp;

"China has enhanced its capability to precisely forecast the orbits of the space station and small low-orbit targets, optimized the procedures for space collision warning and avoidance, and reduced the false alarm rate by 30%, according to Lin," Xinhua wrote, without revealing specifics.

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China is also planning to include more video-based scrutiny of Tiangong, like using a high-definition camera on its robotic arm and tasking the Shenzhou 18 crew to put in more reinforcements.

The Shenzhou 18 mission is scheduled to launch on April 25.&nbsp;

The crew of the mission will be tasked “with installing space debris protection reinforcements for extravehicular piping, cables and critical equipment during their extravehicular activities," Xinhua reported.

(With inputs from agencies)

China’s Tiangong space station reportedly suffered a partial loss of power due to a space debris strike, state media reported. The incident took place during one of the spacewalks by astronauts of the Shenzhou 17 mission on March 1.

China’s Tiangong space station reportedly suffered a partial loss of power due to a space debris strike, state media reported. The incident took place during one of the spacewalks by astronauts of the Shenzhou 17 mission on March 1. The space station, operated by China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), suffered a partial but minor loss of power supply after the outpost’s solar panels were damaged by space debris. Even after experiencing glitches in the space station, spacewalks were a success, said CMSA on Wednesday in a press conference. The agency will look forward to guarding the space station from future space debris-related mishaps, reported Chinese state media. Also Read | Voyager 1 ends 'radio silence' thanks to NASA's software repair 15 billion miles away from Earth "The space station's core module Tianhe had suffered a partial loss of power supply due to the impact of the space debris on the solar wing's power cables," Xinhua news agency reported, paraphrasing CMSA deputy director Lin Xiqiang. Though Xinhua did not specify if the debris was from micro-meteoroids or from human-made structures in space, both pose threats to permanently crewed space stations like Tiangong and the International Space Station (ISS). Space debris is a menace to space stations. How is China tackling this? Many reports by NASA show that human-generated orbital space debris is growing and would be the next biggest challenge for space companies. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) tracks more than 43,000 overall space objects as of April 2024, according to SpaceTrack.org. There are more than 7500 active satellites in space right now, as per the Union for Concerned Scientists, most of them which are part of SpaceX’s giant Starlink network. Also Read | Debris from rare 'super' explosion on Sun with four solar flares erupting simultaneously likely to hit Earth Removing space debris is a difficult task. Instead, ISS controllers had to remove the space station out of the way of the debris. This is not an easy task either, as the guidelines for doing this are strict. A manoeuvre is mandated if any debris arrives in a "pizza box" roughly 2.5 miles by 30 miles by 30 miles (4 by 50 by 50 kilometres) with the ISS at the centre, according to agency officials. With the help of NORAD, the ISS controllers have done this more than 30 times since its first modules launched in 1998. Watch | China's Tiangong space station faces equipment delay from India × China's space station also has "executed manoeuvres on multiple occasions to evade space debris impacts", according to the Xinhua report, and Lin discussed several measures the CMSA is taking to prevent future issues. "China has enhanced its capability to precisely forecast the orbits of the space station and small low-orbit targets, optimized the procedures for space collision warning and avoidance, and reduced the false alarm rate by 30%, according to Lin," Xinhua wrote, without revealing specifics. Also Read | Is Mars seeping on methane? NASA scientists explain unusual behaviour of gas on the Red Planet's Gale Crater China is also planning to include more video-based scrutiny of Tiangong, like using a high-definition camera on its robotic arm and tasking the Shenzhou 18 crew to put in more reinforcements. The Shenzhou 18 mission is scheduled to launch on April 25. The crew of the mission will be tasked “with installing space debris protection reinforcements for extravehicular piping, cables and critical equipment during their extravehicular activities," Xinhua reported. (With inputs from agencies)

Tiangong space station damaged by space debris strike, China working on clean-up

A mysterious Chinese spacecraft returned to Earth on Monday to the Jiuquan launch centre in northwest China after staying in orbit for over nine months or 276 days, which was 100 times longer than its maiden flight less than three years ago.

A mysterious Chinese spacecraft returned to Earth on Monday to the Jiuquan launch centre in northwest China after staying in orbit for over nine months or 276 days, which was 100 times longer than its maiden flight less than three years ago. Little is known about the spacecraft and the Chinese space authorities are not in any hurry to provide information about it. However, according to a South China Morning Post report, the 'mysterious' spacecraft might be a reusable, uncrewed space vehicle. China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the country's biggest space defence contractor is known to have developed the spacecraft after it hailed the classified mission as a "complete success", adding that it marked an "important breakthrough" in China's research into the technology. Despite calling the mission a success, the contractor refused to elaborate on what kind of technology was used or how high the aircraft flew and where its orbits had taken it since its launch in early August 2022. Notably, such has been the secrecy that the Chinese space authorities are yet to release images of the craft to the public. WATCH | The new space race: China vs US over lunar landing × Mysterious spacecraft same as US variant? The said spacecraft first took flight in September 2020, and spent two days in orbit, before returning to Earth. Since the reusable craft was launched using the Long March 2F rocket, experts calculated the payload capacity and concluded that the craft might be similar in design and size to the US Air Force’s Boeing X-37B. According to the US Air Force, Boeing X-37B is a premier reusable and unmanned spacecraft which allows scientists to recover experiments in space. The US aircraft measures nine metres in length and three metres in height. It spent a record 908 days in orbit during its fifth flight since being introduced in 2010. ALSO READ | Mysterious US X-37B space plane eyes orbital record Experts close to the matter, however, argue that the suspected Chinese craft could be equipped with advanced imaging and sensing equipment to keep an eye on enemies and potential targets to gather sensitive intelligence data. Last month, Chinese scientists allowed an artificial intelligence (AI) machine to take full control of one of its satellites. To everyone's surprise, the AI-controlled satellite instantly locked Zoom on India's Patna city which has the Bihar Regiment – the Indian Army unit that clashed with Chinese forces in the Galwan Valley in 2020. ALSO READ | Chinese scientists let AI control satellite, it takes ‘closer look’ at specific spots in India, Japan The other targeted area was Osaka, one of Japan’s busiest ports, which occasionally hosts US Navy vessels operating in the Pacific. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Mysterious Chinese spacecraft returns to Earth after 9-month space voyage

After a NASA top official warned that China may stake a claim on the moon's resources, the spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington retorted saying,&nbsp;"Outer space is not a wrestling ground." China is "actively" working towards a "shared future for mankind in the space", said Liu Pengyu, the spokesperson.

In an interview with&nbsp;Politico, former astronaut and current NASA administrator Bill Nelson said tthe US needs to "watch out" that its rival does not gain a foothold on the lunar surface. As per a Guardian report, the NASA official said the race between the two nations is intensifying and the next two years may decide which of them gains the advantage.

Watch |&nbsp;China's 'heavenly palace' space station; US space command says 'Our space assets at risk'

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In response, Liu said:&nbsp;"China always advocates the peaceful use of outer space, opposes the weaponisation of and arms race in outer space, and works actively toward building a community with a shared future for mankind in the space domain."

Nelson, the top&nbsp;NASA official, had warned that China, which is currently engaged in a "space race" with the United States, may stake a claim on Moon's resource-rich areas if it gets there first.

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"It is a fact: we’re in a space race." Nelson said that the US "better watch out that they (China) don’t get to a place on the moon under the guise of scientific research."

As proof of China's assertiveness over its territorial claims, the official cited the "earthly" example of Beijing's aggression over islands in the South China Sea where the nation has established military bases.

He said "it is not beyond the realm of possibility that they say, ‘Keep out, we’re here, this is our territory,'" for the Moon’s resource-rich areas.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-technology/we-better-watch-out-nasa-chief-says-us-china-locked-in-space-race-as-mission-moon-heats-up-548854">‘We better watch out’: NASA chief says US, China locked in ‘space race’ as mission Moon heats up</a>

Recent years have seen China's space programme develop leaps and bounds. Last year, the nation successfully put up an Earth-orbiting space station and also mounted several lunar orbiting and sample-collecting missions.

As per reports, the third phase of China's Lunar mission is scheduled for 2025, and it seeks to establish a lunar research station on Moon's south pole.

Previously, US military officials too sounded the alarm over Chinese "militarisation" of space. While on a visit to Australia, Space Force Lt Gen Nina Armagno warned "It’s entirely possible they could catch up and surpass us," adding that the "progress they’ve made has been stunning – stunningly fast."&nbsp;

However, China denies the allegations and has repeatedly rejected the US interpretation of its space missions.

(With inputs from agencies)

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After a NASA top official warned that China may stake a claim on the moon's resources, the spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington retorted saying, "Outer space is not a wrestling ground.

After a NASA top official warned that China may stake a claim on the moon's resources, the spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington retorted saying, "Outer space is not a wrestling ground." China is "actively" working towards a "shared future for mankind in the space", said Liu Pengyu, the spokesperson. In an interview with Politico, former astronaut and current NASA administrator Bill Nelson said tthe US needs to "watch out" that its rival does not gain a foothold on the lunar surface. As per a Guardian report, the NASA official said the race between the two nations is intensifying and the next two years may decide which of them gains the advantage. Watch | China's 'heavenly palace' space station; US space command says 'Our space assets at risk' In response, Liu said: "China always advocates the peaceful use of outer space, opposes the weaponisation of and arms race in outer space, and works actively toward building a community with a shared future for mankind in the space domain." Nelson, the top NASA official, had warned that China, which is currently engaged in a "space race" with the United States, may stake a claim on Moon's resource-rich areas if it gets there first. Also read | India, United States natural partners in space exploration, says US official "It is a fact: we’re in a space race." Nelson said that the US "better watch out that they (China) don’t get to a place on the moon under the guise of scientific research." As proof of China's assertiveness over its territorial claims, the official cited the "earthly" example of Beijing's aggression over islands in the South China Sea where the nation has established military bases. He said "it is not beyond the realm of possibility that they say, ‘Keep out, we’re here, this is our territory,'" for the Moon’s resource-rich areas. Also read | ‘We better watch out’: NASA chief says US, China locked in ‘space race’ as mission Moon heats up Recent years have seen China's space programme develop leaps and bounds. Last year, the nation successfully put up an Earth-orbiting space station and also mounted several lunar orbiting and sample-collecting missions. As per reports, the third phase of China's Lunar mission is scheduled for 2025, and it seeks to establish a lunar research station on Moon's south pole. Previously, US military officials too sounded the alarm over Chinese "militarisation" of space. While on a visit to Australia, Space Force Lt Gen Nina Armagno warned "It’s entirely possible they could catch up and surpass us," adding that the "progress they’ve made has been stunning – stunningly fast." However, China denies the allegations and has repeatedly rejected the US interpretation of its space missions. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Outer space not a wrestling ground', retorts China after NASA official says it might claim Moon's resources

It has been a staple for science fiction books and movies in the past to show technologies capable enough to target and destroy asteroids heading towards the earth. It seems like it can finally become a reality as China’s space agency announced a new space monitoring and defense system.

According to the state-backed media outlet Global Times, China National Space Administration (CSNA) deputy Wu Yanhua has said that they will be attempting to intercept an asteroid moving towards earth at an immense speed by crashing a spacecraft into its course and he added the mission can be launched by the year 2025.

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The first target is reported to be an asteroid which may come threatingly close to earth in 2025 and Yanhua told The Global Times that the system will be important in protecting ‘Earth and mankind’.

The system will feature a simulation software which can help in getting ready for possible scenarios and rehearsals will be organised in order to perfect the system before using it in a situation.

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The system will connect both earth and space as the scientists will continue to monitor the situation in order to assess the threat levels of various asteroids. By crashing a spacecraft into the approaching asteroid, the scientists will be looking to change its course away from planet earth.

According to the report in The Global Times, the system is just at the establishment phase and the progress and findings of this system will be reviewed thoroughly before any sort of approval.

It has been a staple for science fiction books and movies in the past to show technologies capable enough to target and destroy asteroids heading towards the earth.

It has been a staple for science fiction books and movies in the past to show technologies capable enough to target and destroy asteroids heading towards the earth. It seems like it can finally become a reality as China’s space agency announced a new space monitoring and defense system. According to the state-backed media outlet Global Times, China National Space Administration (CSNA) deputy Wu Yanhua has said that they will be attempting to intercept an asteroid moving towards earth at an immense speed by crashing a spacecraft into its course and he added the mission can be launched by the year 2025. Also read | After Twitter takeover, Elon Musk wants to add cocaine to Coca-Cola The first target is reported to be an asteroid which may come threatingly close to earth in 2025 and Yanhua told The Global Times that the system will be important in protecting ‘Earth and mankind’. The system will feature a simulation software which can help in getting ready for possible scenarios and rehearsals will be organised in order to perfect the system before using it in a situation. Also read | Right to be forgotten: Google begins to take requests for removal of search results with personal info The system will connect both earth and space as the scientists will continue to monitor the situation in order to assess the threat levels of various asteroids. By crashing a spacecraft into the approaching asteroid, the scientists will be looking to change its course away from planet earth. According to the report in The Global Times, the system is just at the establishment phase and the progress and findings of this system will be reviewed thoroughly before any sort of approval.

China's space agency planning to detect and attack asteroids heading towards earth