China’s Imperiled Astronauts Illustrate the Dangers of Space Debris

https://time.com/7334178/chinese-taikonauts-stranded-space-debris-astronauts/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=editorial&utm_content=%3Cpost_date:%d%m%y%3E

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6 Comments

  1. Is it possible for us to send up a rescue mission fairly quickly if the need arises? I feel like that should be a thing.

  2. Is the lower orbit they use putting them at greater risk of collisions than the ISS? I know the ISS has a higher orbit. But I’m unsure the range band of most satellites. Obviously ricocheting debris is likely always going to be a risk, but I assume the closeness to other objects increases it.

  3. RCocaineBurner on

    Wow what an idea for a movie. Space debris endangers astronauts, wow. They could call it “The Rock That Wouldn’t Slow Down”

  4. They’re not imperilled. The Shenzhou 20 crew has returned to Earth in the Shenzhou 21 pod. The Shenzhou 21 crew are not in immediate danger, and a new launch can be ready in a matter of days if need be. Space debris is a serious problem, but the astronauts are not imperilled.