On November 5, 2025, mission controllers noticed a tiny crack in one of China’s Shenzhou-20 spacecraft windows. Though no larger than a pinhead, this fissure raised alarms about the danger micrometeoroids and orbital debris pose at speeds exceeding 7.8 kilometers per second.
A Chinese space expert recently explained in a video how fragments as small as one millimeter can compromise window assemblies, endangering crew safety and onboard instruments. At orbital velocities, even paint flecks carry enough energy to puncture reinforced glass composites.
To tackle the issue, the Shenzhou-22 mission delivered specialized repair kits and spare materials this week. Flight engineers applied advanced sealants and buffer layers to reinforce the damaged section, blending transparent polymers with upgraded thermal blankets for extra protection.
After installing these upgrades, mission planners expect a substantial reduction in vulnerability. By enhancing window assemblies with additional buffer layers, crews will be better shielded against debris up to a few millimeters in diameter.
This incident underscores a critical lesson for the global space community: as low Earth orbit grows busier, safeguarding human missions demands stronger materials, smarter tracking systems, and international collaboration on debris mitigation. As of early December, Shenzhou-20 continues its mission, with the repaired window under close monitoring by flight controllers.
For a generation watching satellites, megaconstellations, and emerging space tourism, Shenzhou-20’s tiny crack serves as a stark reminder that in space, small dangers can pack big punches.
Reference(s):
Chinese expert explains in-orbit emergency faced by Shenzhou-20
cgtn.com
