The return of China’s Shenzhou-20 spacecraft and its three astronauts, initially scheduled for Wednesday, has been postponed due to a suspected collision with tiny space debris. The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced the delay, emphasizing that the decision was made to prioritize the safety of the crew. Astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie were expected to land at the Dongfeng site in Inner Mongolia, but a new return date has yet to be confirmed. The CMSA is currently conducting an impact analysis and risk assessment to evaluate the situation. Meanwhile, a relief crew arrived at the Tiangong space station last week aboard the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft. Tiangong, a cornerstone of China’s ambitious space program, hosts rotating crews of three astronauts every six months. The station represents China’s significant investment in space exploration, aiming to rival the achievements of the United States and Russia. Chinese state media recently shared a video of astronauts from both crews enjoying ‘barbecued’ chicken wings aboard the station. China’s space ambitions extend beyond Tiangong, with plans to send a crewed mission to the Moon by 2030 and establish a lunar base in the future.