Human Spaceflight & Space Stations News

South China Morning Post • SCMP Reporter

China delays Shenzhou-20 crew return after suspected orbital debris strike on Tiangong

China has delayed the return of Shenzhou‑20's three-person crew after officials opened an investigation into a suspected orbital debris strike on the Tiangong space station. Authorities said they are conducting an impact analysis and risk assessment before clearing undocking and reentry operations.

2025-11-04T18:35:26.912016-08:00

Space.com

Shenzhou 21 launches three astronauts to Tiangong; liftoff 11:44 a.m. ET Oct. 31

2025-10-31T04:16:27.539948-07:00

Ars Technica

“Athena” plan outlines Isaacman’s NASA blueprint, triggers Capitol Hill scrutiny

2025-11-03T09:11:31.878585-08:00

NASA Spaceflight

Launch roundup: Shenzhou-21 crew heads to Tiangong; India to launch CMS-03 as SpaceX sustains LEO tempo

2025-10-27T16:06:01.900943-07:00

Human Spaceflight & Space Stations News Timeline

News.CN

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Shenzhou-20 crew to return Friday aboard Shenzhou-21; landing set for Dongfeng China's Shenzhou-20 astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie are due to return Friday aboard Shenzhou-21, the vehicle that delivered their replacements. The capsule is scheduled to land at the Dongfeng site in Inner Mongolia; officials say the crew and landing zone are in good condition.

2025-11-13T16:37:50.252755-08:00

Shenzhou-20 crew to return Friday aboard Shenzhou-21; landing set for Dongfeng

Space.com

Intense solar flare and ~1,500 km/s CME spark global auroras, force ISS crew shelter and delay launches An intense solar flare on 11 November 2025, followed by a fast coronal mass ejection (~1,500 km/s), has sparked geomagnetic storms, widespread auroras and warnings of GNSS, HF and satellite disruptions. The ISS's three Russian cosmonauts sheltered overnight and at least one commercial launch was delayed.

2025-11-13T13:16:29.241014-08:00

Intense solar flare and ~1,500 km/s CME spark global auroras, force ISS crew shelter and delay launches

NASA Spaceflight

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Dream Chaser clears critical pre‑flight tests at Kennedy as programme advances amid uncertain future Sierra Space's Dream Chaser spaceplane has completed a series of critical pre‑flight tests at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, marking technical progress for the reusable cargo vehicle. The milestones arrive even as schedule slippage and NASA contract changes leave the programme's operational debut and broader future unresolved.

2025-11-13T08:13:59.241880-08:00

Dream Chaser clears critical pre‑flight tests at Kennedy as programme advances amid uncertain future

SpaceNews.com

Ground truth: Lunar program needs a resilient Earth‑based network Lunar exploration depends as much on a resilient, globally distributed Earth‑based network for communications, tracking and data processing as it does on rockets and landers. That terrestrial infrastructure provides the “ground truth” — real‑time telemetry, precise positioning and mission support crucial to safe operations and science return.

2025-11-13T03:19:18.695813-08:00

Ground truth: Lunar program needs a resilient Earth‑based network

SpaceNews.com

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China closes airspace as Shenzhou-20 prepares for landing after suspected debris strike China closed airspace and issued notices indicating preparations for the Shenzhou-20 crew's return, days after a suspected orbital-debris impact on Tiangong forced officials to delay undocking while conducting impact and risk assessments. Authorities are evaluating vehicle and station damage before clearing reentry.

2025-11-12T14:53:44.968382-08:00

China closes airspace as Shenzhou-20 prepares for landing after suspected debris strike

Space.com

India completes critical main‑parachute test for Gaganyaan crew module ISRO successfully tested the main parachute system for the Gaganyaan crew module over Babina, Uttar Pradesh, producing a visible orange‑and‑white 'rangoli' in the sky and marking a critical step toward qualifying the parachute for human spaceflight. The result advances Gaganyaan's safety validation ahead of crewed operations.

2025-11-11T14:03:27.170041-08:00

India completes critical main‑parachute test for Gaganyaan crew module

Universe Today

Study Quantifies Micrometeoroid Threat to Artemis Lunar Base — Up to 23,000 Impacts a Year New study quantifies that a permanent lunar base could face up to 23,000 micrometeoroid impacts per year at velocities up to 70 km/s, with even microscopic particles able to puncture equipment and threaten crew. Impact rates vary by site; the lunar south pole — NASA's planned Artemis base — experiences the lowest bombardment.

2025-11-11T13:34:14.342140-08:00

Study Quantifies Micrometeoroid Threat to Artemis Lunar Base — Up to 23,000 Impacts a Year

Space.com

Two 'stranded' astronaut incidents reveal urgent gaps in space-rescue readiness Two recent incidents that left astronauts temporarily stranded have exposed critical shortcomings in international space-rescue procedures, coordination and contingency infrastructure, experts warn. They call for agreed protocols, funding and operational capability to be established quickly before a future mishap produces life-threatening consequences.

2025-11-11T03:20:07.308620-08:00

Two 'stranded' astronaut incidents reveal urgent gaps in space-rescue readiness

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