Shenzhou-20 & Space Debris (MMOD)

Shenzhou-20 & Space Debris (mmod)

December 23, 2025

Kamaraj IAS Academy

Prelims Plus

Subject Reference: GS Paper III (Science & Technology - Space)

The News (Dec 2025): An orbital debris strike cracked a window of China’s Shenzhou-20 spacecraft. This forced the crew to delay their return and sparked a rare rescue mission using another docked vehicle.
Apt Topic: "The Sustainability of Outer Space & The Kessler Syndrome"
MMOD Threat: Micrometeoroids and Orbital Debris (MMOD) travel at speeds up to 10 km/s. At this velocity, even a paint fleck has the kinetic energy of a bullet.
Kessler Syndrome: This incident highlights the risk of a "runaway" effect where debris collisions create more debris, eventually making certain orbits (like LEO) unusable for future generations.
Global Governance: Use this to discuss the UN COPUOS (Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space) and the need for international treaties on active debris removal.