BLUF
Chinese astronauts aboard Shenzhou missions in 2003, 2005, and 2008 reported unexplained “knocking” sounds outside their spacecraft. Despite multiple theories—debris, thermal expansion, or escaping air—the phenomenon remains unsolved after two decades of investigation.Learning Outcomes:
- Examine the Shenzhou astronauts’ unexplained sound reports as a case study in spaceflight anomalies and crew perception under stress.
- Evaluate scientific theories for unexplained spacecraft sounds, including structural expansion, debris impact, and pressure variation.
- Assess implications for astronaut training, spacecraft design, and incident reporting in future Australian space and defence cooperation missions.
