China's astronauts land safely after space debris collision

"Everything for the Shenzhou 20 mission - China's 20th crewed mission to space - was going smoothly. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) UNIDENTIFIED PERSON #1: (Speaking Mandarin). FENG: The three astronauts took off from China's Gansu Province this past April. (SOUNDBITE OF ROCKETS TAKING OFF) FENG: They then spent six months on board China's space station, conducting experiments on topics like observing how mice reproduce in space and barbecuing Chinese food in low gravity."

"And when the next crew rotated on board about two weeks ago... (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) UNIDENTIFIED PERSON #2: (Speaking Mandarin). FENG: ...They welcomed the new astronauts on board. But then several days later, a piece of space debris cracked a port window of the outgoing Shenzhou 20, the craft that was going to bring the first three astronauts home, delaying their trip."

"Lincoln Hines researches the politics of outer space at Georgia Tech University, and he says space debris is a real danger because it travels at high speeds. LINCOLN HINES: We're talking about speeds of around 18,000 miles per hour. Kind of a frame of reference for this is that it's - this is about seven times the speed of a bullet."

Three Chinese astronauts have returned to Earth after extending their stay aboard China's space station when debris damaged their return spacecraft. Shenzhou 20 launched from Gansu Province in April and spent six months on the station conducting experiments, including observing mice reproduction in microgravity and barbecuing Chinese food. A crew rotation two weeks earlier brought a new team on board; several days later a piece of space debris cracked a port window on the outgoing Shenzhou 20, delaying the return. Space debris travels at roughly 18,000 miles per hour, about seven times the speed of a bullet, and ranges from flecks of paint to loose screws and many small satellites.

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