By 
November 25th, 2025
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Billed as the first emergency launch mission in China’s human spaceflight program, an uncrewed, cargo-loaded Shenzhou-22 spaceship was launched on November 25.
Shenzhou-22 later docked with the front port of China’s Tiangong space station’s Tianhe core module.
Flying without a three-person crew aboard, the vessel carried a cargo of space food, medical supplies, fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as devices for treating the cracked window on the Shenzhou-20 spaceship.
Shenzhou-21 on-orbit crew monitors emergency Shenzhou-22 launch.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Life and safety
“The success of this mission fully demonstrated the strengths of China’s new system for mobilizing resources nationwide, comprehensively interpreted the principle of ‘prioritizing life and safety above anything else’ in China’s manned space program, said Zhou Jianping, chief designer, China’s manned space program.
Credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Zhou said the emergency launch “verified the scientific, reliable and safe nature of the ‘one launch, one standby, rolling backup’ strategy for China’s space station missions.”
In addition, Zhou added that it “rigorously tested all personnel’s rapid response and emergency handling capabilities in real-world scenarios,” overcoming hardships, working with a fighting morale, solving technical bottlenecks, and remaining dedicated.
Debris hit
The Shenzhou-22 launch followed the postponed return of the Shenzhou-20 crew aboard the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft on Nov. 14. The Shenzhou-20 spacecraft was struck by space debris, delaying its return originally scheduled to take place on November 5.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
The spaceship performed a fast, automated rendezvous and docked with the front port of Tiangong’s core module Tianhe in about 3.5 hours after entering orbit, the CMSA said.
The Shenzhou-22 will later serve as the return vessel for the three Shenzhou-21 astronauts currently in orbit.
The damaged Shenzhou-20 spaceship “will remain in orbit to continue relevant experiments,” stated the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
Diao Weihe, an engineer for the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
Image credit: CCTV/CGTN/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Shenzhou-22 upgrades
According to Diao Weihe, an engineer for the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the Shenzhou-22 launch marks the first emergency launch in the history of the Shenzhou spacecraft program.
“Its preparation-to-launch cycle has been compressed to 16 days, significantly shorter than a standard mission timeline, Diao told China Central Television (CCTV).
Shenzhou-22 is the first spacecraft of a new production batch, and has undergone comprehensive upgrades aimed at enhancing capability, reliability, and crew comfort,” said Diao.
Uncrewed Shenzhou-22 loaded with supplies.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
“These include upgraded and redesigned instruments for improved operability and accessibility. Additionally, the spacecraft’s downward payload capacity has been significantly increased through optimized cabin layout and miniaturized instrument panels,” Diao noted. “Furthermore, some components have been upgraded to further enhance the spacecraft’s autonomous and control capabilities.”
Go to these CCTV launch videos at:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1611092220061856
Posted in Space News
