{"686431":{"#nid":"686431","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Space Debris Struck a Chinese Spacecraft \u2013 How the Incident Could Be a Wake-up Call for International Collaboration","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EChina\u2019s Shenzhou-20 spacecraft \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/media-telecom\/chinas-shenzhou-20-return-mission-delayed-due-space-debris-impact-2025-11-05\/\u0022\u003Etook a hit\u003C\/a\u003E from a piece of space debris floating through orbit, causing Chinese officials to delay the spacecraft\u2019s return from its Tiangong space station in early November 2025.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to stranding the three Chinese astronauts \u2013 called taikonauts \u2013 who were set to return to Earth, this incident highlights the increasing risks posed to China and the broader international community by the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/space-junk-in-earth-orbit-and-on-the-moon-will-increase-with-future-missions-but-nobodys-in-charge-of-cleaning-it-up-212421\u0022\u003Egrowing amount of space debris\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI study China\u2019s space program. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?hl=en\u0026amp;authuser=2\u0026amp;user=tTL2_d4AAAAJ\u0022\u003EMy research\u003C\/a\u003E suggests that national pride plays an important role in China\u2019s growing space ambitions. As China continues to invest in expensive space capabilities, it will also likely become increasingly sensitive to losing them. The rise in space debris may create incentives for Chinese officials to cooperate with the United States on measures that reduce the risk of collisions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ESpace Debris \u2013 a Growing Issue\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/aerospace.org\/article\/space-debris-101\u0022\u003ESpace debris\u003C\/a\u003E is creating growing problems for space operations. It includes any artificial objects in orbit not operating as satellites or spacecraft. It ranges in size from a fleck of paint to large rocket bodies roughly the size of a school bus.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the most commonly used orbit \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.space.com\/low-earth-orbit\u0022\u003Elow Earth orbit\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 this debris can move at speeds of roughly 18,000 mph, almost \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/headquarters\/library\/find\/bibliographies\/space-debris\/\u0022\u003Eseven times the speed of a bullet\u003C\/a\u003E. At such high speeds, even tiny pieces of space debris can be highly destructive, to the point that this debris might continue to multiply until one day it makes certain critical orbits unusable. When space debris collides with other objects and fragments, they can break into smaller pieces, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org\/features\/understanding-the-misunderstood-kessler-syndrome\/\u0022\u003Egenerating even more debris\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s somewhat ironic that China\u2019s spacecraft took a hit from space junk. The country is responsible for creating the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cna.org\/archive\/CNA_Files\/pdf\/chinas-role-in-making-outer-space-more.pdf\u0022\u003Emajority of space debris\u003C\/a\u003E. In 2007, China blew up a defunct Fengyun-1c weather satellite to test an anti-satellite weapon. It generated the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.swfound.org\/publications-and-reports\/chinese-direct-ascent-anti-satellite-testing-fact-sheet\u0022\u003Emost space debris in history\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 over 3,000 pieces are still orbiting today.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\u0022440\u0022 height=\u0022260\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6zoQmV3PGNc?wmode=transparent\u0026amp;start=0\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EThis short clip shows the increase in space debris in orbit around Earth.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn several occasions, the International Space Station has had to maneuver to narrowly avoid being struck by debris from this test, including as \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/a-chunk-of-chinese-satellite-almost-hit-the-international-space-station-they-dodged-it-but-the-space-junk-problem-is-getting-worse-171735\u0022\u003Erecently as 2021\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EAnti-Satellite Weapons\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhy would China, or any other country, want to develop an anti-satellite weapon? Satellites provide significant \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.aerospacedefensereview.com\/news\/the-strategic-importance-of-military-satellites-nwid-1852.html\u0022\u003Ebenefits to militaries\u003C\/a\u003E. They help with reconnaissance and intelligence, allow for the precise targeting and guidance of long-range munitions, support communication over large distances and supply weather data, to name just a few uses.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese advantages were showcased during the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/history.state.gov\/milestones\/1989-1992\/gulf-war\u0022\u003Efirst Gulf War\u003C\/a\u003E, often called the \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scientificamerican.com\/article\/gps-and-the-world-s-first-space-war\/\u0022\u003Efirst space war\u003C\/a\u003E.\u201d The United States used space technologies to quickly and decisively defeat the Iraqi military within weeks, and with far fewer casualties than expected. The Gulf War had a profound impact on Chinese military thinking, with analysts in the People\u2019s Liberation Army \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/jamestown.org\/program\/chinas-new-military-strategy-winning-informationized-local-wars\u0022\u003Erecognizing the importance\u003C\/a\u003E of space technologies in modern warfare.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhereas the United States has been and remains highly dependent on space capabilities, China has historically been less dependent on them. This means that China has traditionally had far less to lose from striking satellites in orbit and comparatively more to gain from disabling an adversary\u2019s satellites.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince the 1990s, China has \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.defenseone.com\/threats\/2025\/04\/how-china-expanding-its-anti-satellite-arsenal\/404283\/\u0022\u003Einvested in technologies\u003C\/a\u003E that can jam, disable or outright destroy another country\u2019s satellites. This effort has been driven by a desire to counter what it sees as a key vulnerability of the U.S. military \u2013 its heavy reliance on space capabilities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYet much has changed since China\u2019s first anti-satellite test in 2007.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EChina has gradually narrowed the gap with the United States in space capabilities and is now one of the most powerful spacefaring nations on Earth. As a result, China now has more at stake if it were to lose access to space.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESpace debris is becoming a serious threat to Chinese interests in space. In 2022, for example, reports emerged that debris from Russia\u2019s 2021 ASAT test came dangerously \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spacenews.com\/chinese-satellite-in-near-miss-with-russian-asat-test-debris\/\u0022\u003Eclose to a Chinese satellite\u003C\/a\u003E. Similarly, in 2021 China filed a claim at the United Nations that China\u2019s Tiangong space station had to perform avoidance maneuvers due to \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.unoosa.org\/res\/oosadoc\/data\/documents\/2021\/aac_105\/aac_1051262_0_html\/AAC105_1262E.pdf\u0022\u003Eclose encounters\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d with Starlink satellites. And now, in November 2025, China\u2019s Shenzhou-20 spacecraft has actually been struck by space debris.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ERecognizing the Problem\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt is too early to gauge how seriously Chinese officials view the threat of space debris. However, the high-profile nature of this recent incident may alert China\u2019s public and officials to the risks posed by space debris.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EChina\u2019s space station, its astronauts and its satellites are \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cambridge.org\/core\/books\/power-of-the-space-club\/B26F1CB83AF8DB49CCFF2C3B7723A2EA\u0022\u003Eimportant to the Chinese Communist Party\u003C\/a\u003E. If space debris permanently destroyed parts or all of China\u2019s space station, or even killed a Chinese astronaut, it would likely lead to significant public outcry.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EChina\u2019s space station is a project over three decades in the making and is the crown jewel of its space program. The Tiangong is set to become the only space station in orbit if the United States proceeds with its plans to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/nasa-selects-international-space-station-us-deorbit-vehicle\/\u0022\u003Edeorbit the ISS\u003C\/a\u003E in 2030.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701973\/original\/file-20251112-66-6d641u.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022A space station, which looks like several connected cylinders with solar panels coming off them, orbiting the planet Earth.\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701973\/original\/file-20251112-66-6d641u.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701973\/original\/file-20251112-66-6d641u.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=338\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701973\/original\/file-20251112-66-6d641u.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=338\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701973\/original\/file-20251112-66-6d641u.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=338\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701973\/original\/file-20251112-66-6d641u.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=424\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701973\/original\/file-20251112-66-6d641u.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=424\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701973\/original\/file-20251112-66-6d641u.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=424\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EAn illustration of China\u2019s Tiangong space station.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/photo\/chinese-space-station-orbiting-the-planet-earth-on-royalty-free-image\/1164146039?phrase=tiangong%20Alejomiranda\u0026amp;searchscope=image%2Cfilm\u0026amp;adppopup=true\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003Ealejomiranda\/iStock via Getty Images\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJust as an owner of an expensive Lamborghini may become increasingly worried about dangerous road conditions that may damage their prized possession, Chinese officials may become anxious about China\u2019s ability to operate its space station should space junk continue to clutter low Earth orbit.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEven if space debris does not damage China\u2019s space station, it still poses a risk to Chinese satellites. And low Earth orbit is likely to become only more crowded, as SpaceX has announced plans to add \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2020-09-17\/elon-musk-s-starlink-wants-to-beam-broadband-internet-from-40-000-satellites\u0022\u003Eup to 40,000 Starlink satellites\u003C\/a\u003E in orbit, and China plans to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/emissary\/2024\/08\/china-starlink-qianfan-satellite-internet-launch-priority?lang=en\u0022\u003Eadd tens of thousands\u003C\/a\u003E more satellites in low Earth orbit through its \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.space.com\/space-exploration\/launches-spacecraft\/china-launches-8th-batch-satellites-guowang-satnet-internet-megaconstellation-video\u0022\u003EGuowang and Qianfan satellite megaconstellations\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EChina\u2019s growing vulnerability to space debris creates an area of mutual concern where the United States and China may be able to work together to avoid future accidents.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701977\/original\/file-20251112-56-jvv5ix.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022Three astronauts walking down a street lined with crowds in stands waving Chinese flags.\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701977\/original\/file-20251112-56-jvv5ix.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701977\/original\/file-20251112-56-jvv5ix.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701977\/original\/file-20251112-56-jvv5ix.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701977\/original\/file-20251112-56-jvv5ix.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701977\/original\/file-20251112-56-jvv5ix.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701977\/original\/file-20251112-56-jvv5ix.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701977\/original\/file-20251112-56-jvv5ix.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EChina\u2019s human spaceflight program is a point of national pride.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/astronauts-for-chinas-shenzhou-18-space-mission-li-guangsu-news-photo\/2149533967?adppopup=true\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EGreg Baker\/AFP via Getty Images\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERisk-reduction measures could include the two countries notifying each other about potential collisions. China and the United States could also open discussions around how to safely operate satellites or remove them from orbit when they\u2019re no longer useful.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt remains to be seen what lessons Chinese decision-makers draw from this recent episode. But the problem of space debris is not going away.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/269268\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/space-debris-struck-a-chinese-spacecraft-how-the-incident-could-be-a-wake-up-call-for-international-collaboration-269268\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EChina\u2019s Shenzhou-20 spacecraft took a hit from a piece of space debris floating through orbit, causing Chinese officials to delay the spacecraft\u2019s return from its Tiangong space station in early November 2025.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"China\u2019s Shenzhou-20 spacecraft took a hit from a piece of space debris floating through orbit, causing Chinese officials to delay the spacecraft\u2019s return from its Tiangong space station in early November 2025."}],"uid":"36009","created_gmt":"2025-11-13 15:43:31","changed_gmt":"2025-11-18 15:35:02","author":"cwhittle9","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-11-13T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-11-13T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678627":{"id":"678627","type":"image","title":"space-debris.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EChina\u2019s Shenzhou-20 spacecraft \u2013 shown here hitching a ride on a Long March-2F carrier rocket \u2013 was hit by a piece of space debris. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/long-march-2f-carrier-rocket-carrying-the-shenzhou-20-news-photo\/2211081374?adppopup=true\u0022\u003EPedro Pardo\/AFP via Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1763135019","gmt_created":"2025-11-14 15:43:39","changed":"1763135019","gmt_changed":"2025-11-14 15:43:39","alt":" China\u2019s Shenzhou-20 spacecraft \u2013 shown here hitching a ride on a Long March-2F carrier rocket \u2013 was hit by a piece of space debris. Pedro Pardo\/AFP via Getty Images ","file":{"fid":"262685","name":"space-debris.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/14\/space-debris.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/14\/space-debris.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":155613,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/11\/14\/space-debris.jpg?itok=7T_mGIB1"}}},"media_ids":["678627"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/space-debris-struck-a-chinese-spacecraft-how-the-incident-could-be-a-wake-up-call-for-international-collaboration-269268","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"660370","name":"Space"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"194767","name":"go-cspir"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193657","name":"Space Research Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAuthor\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/r-lincoln-hines-1360607\u0022 rel=\u0022author\u0022\u003ER. Lincoln Hines\u003C\/a\u003E, assistant professor of international affairs, Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology Media Contact\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith, \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}