BB.lv: Chinese orbital station damaged by impact from space: what is known

The Chinese space station Tiangong experienced a partial power outage after an unknown type of debris hit the solar panels of the orbital outpost, writes Space.

According to a message from the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) on April 24, a partial loss of power supply to the station occurred in the winter and during spacewalks, astronauts were able to repair the damage caused to the station.

Astronauts from the Shenzhou 17 mission reportedly completed three successful spacewalks in the winter and March. One of the tasks was to repair damaged solar panels that had been hit by debris of unknown origin. Perhaps these were micrometeorites, or perhaps it was artificial space debris.

CMSA reported that the main module of the Tiangong space station suffered from a partial loss of power supply. The solar panel cables were partially damaged. CMSA now plans to strengthen the plant’s defenses against possible similar damage in the future.

China has expanded its ability to predict the orbits of space debris and optimized space collision warning and avoidance procedures, according to the CMSA.

In the near future, using a high-resolution camera on the robotic arm of the Tiangong station, it is planned to conduct more thorough observation of the surrounding space. Also, the astronauts of the Shenzhou-18 mission, who are sent into orbit on April 25 to replace the station crew, carry with them additional equipment to enhance the protection of Tiangong. Astronauts must install additional space debris protection for critical equipment on the station, CMSA said.

Regardless of whether it was micrometeorites or space debris that struck Tiangong, both pose a danger to both the Chinese station and the International Space Station.

Human-made orbital debris is increasing in quantity, and the North American Aerospace Defense Command is tracking more than 43,000 pieces of debris as of April 2024.

Since the launch of the first modules of the station in 1998, ISS controllers have already changed the station’s orbit more than 30 times so that it does not collide with micrometeorites or space debris. The rules require evasive maneuvers to be carried out if any space debris enters the 4 x 50 x 50 km space with the ISS at the center.

The Chinese space station also repeatedly performed evasive maneuvers to avoid collisions with space debris, according to CMSA.