Chinese astronauts repair space station's solar wings after debris impact

Chinese astronauts repair space station’s solar wings after debris impact

by Simon Mansfield

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Apr 25, 2024

The crew of the Shenzhou XVII, stationed on China’s space station, successfully repaired damage to the core module’s solar wings caused by space debris. This repair was accomplished during the country’s inaugural mission involving extravehicular maintenance, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

The astronauts are set to return to Earth on April 30, following the completion of their tasks and the transition of responsibilities to the upcoming Shenzhou XVIII mission.

“The capacity to manage unforeseen challenges in space is a vital aspect of manned space missions,” stated Lin Xiqiang, the deputy director of CMSA, during a press briefing.

Lin explained that the space station’s core module, Tianhe, experienced a reduction in power after debris impacted the solar wing’s power cables. He also noted that the station has conducted several maneuvers to avoid collisions with space debris, a growing concern due to increased human activity in space.

The agency has improved its predictions of the space station and nearby orbital objects’ paths, enhancing its collision avoidance protocols and reducing false alarms by 30%, Lin detailed.

Future plans include using high-definition cameras on the space station’s robotic arm and cameras held by spacewalking astronauts to inspect and assess the external conditions of the station and the potential risks posed by small debris.

The next crew, aboard the Shenzhou XVIII, will focus on enhancing the station’s defenses against space debris by adding protective measures to external piping, cables, and essential systems during their spacewalks.

Additionally, the space station has implemented systems to monitor and pinpoint leaks and developed a pressure emergency response system, significantly extending the time astronauts have to address in-orbit issues.

The China Manned Space Agency continues to update orbital parameters on its website and maintains a safety communication protocol with other major space agencies to share timely information, Lin added.

Based on a Xinhua News Agency article