China launched an uncrewed Shenzhou 22 spacecraft to the Tiangong space station on November 13, 2023, after a damaged window was found on the Shenzhou 20 crew ferry. The Long March 2F rocket lifted off at 11:11 PM EST, docking with the station about three-and-a-half hours later at an altitude of roughly 250 miles. This emergency lifeboat was necessary because three astronauts were left without a safe way to return to Earth following the damage discovered during a crew handover. The issue with Shenzhou 20 was identified by the astronauts on November 4, who used a microscope to confirm a triangular crack in the window, likely caused by space debris. After assessing the situation, engineers deemed Shenzhou 20 unsafe for use. Consequently, the outgoing crew was returned to Earth aboard the Shenzhou 21 spacecraft, which successfully landed on November 14, but left three others on the station still needing extraction. In response to the urgency, the China Manned Space Agency activated its contingency plan, enabling a rapid launch of Shenzhou 22, originally scheduled for the following year. This quick turnaround demonstrates a high level of coordination among teams and an efficient approach to emergency response in the space sector. The agency highlighted this mission as an example of resilience and dedication within the realm of manned spaceflight.