Ankara: China's unmanned Shenzhou-22 spacecraft has successfully docked with the Tiangong space station, following the nation's first activation of an emergency backup launch system. The docking occurred on Tuesday, as reported by state media, marking a significant milestone in China's space exploration efforts.

According to Anadolu Agency, the spacecraft launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China and completed its mission by connecting with Tiangong. The space station is currently home to three Chinese astronauts-Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang-who are continuing their mission in orbit. The emergency backup launch was initiated after the Shenzhou-20 return capsule, carrying a previous crew, suffered an impact from suspected orbital debris. This impact delayed the capsule's return journey last week.

The China Manned Space Agency announced on November 5 that the debris impact compromised the return capsule's safety standards, necessitating an extension of the crew's stay in space. Shenzhou-21, which transported the current crew to the space station last month, marks China's sixth crewed mission. This mission also includes the youngest astronaut in China's history, alongside four mice sent for scientific research.

The mice recently returned to Earth with the Shenzhou-20 crew, comprised of astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie. This crew set a new record for the longest mission by Chinese astronauts, spending 204 days in orbit.