Chinese Astronauts' Return Delayed Due to Possible Spacecraft Damage

Three Chinese astronauts have had their return to Earth postponed due to concerns about their spacecraft's safety. The Shenzhou-20 spaceship may have been hit by debris, prompting an investigation by China's space agency.

The astronauts, Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie, were scheduled to return on Wednesday after a six-month mission. They had already handed over control of the Chinese space station to a new crew. However, the suspected impact on their spacecraft has forced them to extend their stay in space.

China's space program has been making significant progress in recent years. They recently celebrated the successful launch of Shenzhou-21, which brought a new crew to the Tiangong space station. This includes Wu Fei, China's youngest astronaut to reach space at 32 years old.

The delay in the astronauts' return highlights the challenges and risks involved in space missions. It also shows the growing competition in space exploration between countries like China and the United States.