A three-man crew stranded at China’s space station due to a suspected collision with space debris is set to return to Earth on Friday. The astronauts, who were initially scheduled to return four days after the arrival of a new crew on November 1, will now use the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft that brought their replacements.

The crew, consisting of Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie, had been on a six-month rotation at the Tiangong space station since April. According to China’s Manned Space Engineering office, the astronauts are in good condition and have been working and living normally despite the unexpected extension of their stay.

The incident that led to the change in plans is believed to have occurred when the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, which was intended to bring the crew back to Earth, was hit by a small piece of space debris. As a result, the crew will now return on the Shenzhou-21 craft, which had brought the new crew to the space station.

China has been making steady progress in its space program since 2003, with notable achievements including the construction of its own space station. The country has also set a goal of landing a person on the moon by 2030. The latest Shenzhou-21 mission has also introduced a new element to China’s space program, with the inclusion of mice for experiments, a first for the country’s space endeavors.

The successful return of the crew on Friday will mark a significant step for China’s space program, demonstrating its ability to adapt to unexpected challenges and ensure the safety of its astronauts. The incident also highlights the risks associated with space exploration and the importance of developing strategies to mitigate the impact of space debris. With its ongoing advancements, China is poised to continue playing a major role in the global space community.