China has launched the Shenzhou-22 capsule to ensure the safe return of astronauts from the Tiangong station, advancing the initially planned launch for 2026.

On Tuesday, China launched an uncrewed vehicle, the Shenzhou-22 capsule, towards the Tiangong space station, thus advancing the initially planned launch for 2026. This decision was made to provide the three astronauts on the station, Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang, with a safe option to return to Earth, after they were deprived of this due to a crack detected in the window of the Shenzhou-20 capsule. This crack, likely caused by impact with micro-debris in space, posed risks to the crew during re-entry into the atmosphere. Additionally, the damage led to a ten-day delay in the crew rotation aboard the station. China continues to invest heavily in its space program, aiming to send astronauts to the Moon by 2030.