Imagine running a space startup where the stakes are life and death. Now, imagine a catastrophic technical failure. This week, China's space program demonstrated exceptional crisis response by deploying an emergency spacecraft to bring their stranded astronauts back to Earth. While it may seem galaxies away from our day-to-day challenges as entrepreneurs, the lessons learned from such operations can be surprisingly relevant.
China's Tiangong space station faced an unusual call for action in late November 2025. Three astronauts were left stranded after their return capsule, Shenzhou 20, was compromised by suspected damage from space debris. In response, China’s Manned Space Agency launched Shenzhou 22, a contingency plan designed to protect its crew. Understanding the precision and forethought executed here is a goldmine for entrepreneurs looking to manage their own high-pressure environments.
The Timeline of Action and Key Facts
- Discovery of the Problem (Nov 4, 2025): During routine inspections on the space station, minor cracks were found in Shenzhou 20's viewing port. This issue disrupted the regular orbital operations, leaving no safe way for the current crew to return.
- Activation of the Contingency System (Nov 14, 2025): China's space agency expedited the prepped backup spacecraft, Shenzhou 22, ahead of schedule. Within weeks, it was launched from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, arriving just hours later.
- Execution of the Mission (Nov 25, 2025): Shenzhou 22 docked with Tiangong seamlessly, reinstating safety for the crew and doubling as a fresh lifeboat for any future emergencies.
Under extraordinary circumstances, a swift decision, advanced planning, and rigorous contingency strategies meant three people’s lives were saved. This ripples far beyond the aerospace sector.
5 Lessons for Female Entrepreneurs
Whether you’re a solo founder or managing a lean team, here are the key takeaways, borrowed straight from the stars:
1. Always Have a “Lifeboat” Strategy
Unforeseen situations can happen to any business, especially startups. From losing a major client to a key product failing at launch, the unexpected can hit hard. Follow China’s lead: pre-plan a set of startup contingencies. Is your backup funding plan ready? What happens if your primary supplier goes out of business? A prepped alternative, like Shenzhou 22, is better than last-minute scrambling.
2. Foster a Sense of Shared Responsibility
China’s engineers and ground crew worked in incredible sync to prep a rocket at lightning speed. Great teams thrive when they buy into a shared mission. As entrepreneurs, seek proactive input from your own teams and create transparent operational plans so nothing is left unclear during a crisis.
3. Factor in Murphy’s Law
If something can go wrong, it might. Space debris shattered Shenzhou 20’s delicate equipment, an unpredictable, low-probability threat. Translate this into business by tackling risks with thorough processes and preemptive quality checks, even for the small, easy-to-miss details like updating contracts or safeguarding sensitive customer data.
4. Align Decisions With Integrity
In moments of crisis, I’ve learned that acting fast but with clarity about your mission is critical. Here, safety ruled over cost or prestige. Likewise, founders should consider people, ethics, and long-term values when making quick decisions, especially during moments of pressure.
5. Invest in a Collaborative Network
Shenzhou 22 involved global-grade engineering reviews and years of prior groundwork for China's manned missions. As a founder, build networks early. From peer groups like Fe/male Switch to accelerators in your region, expand who you can count on so you’re not alone during high-pressure pivots.
Avoid These Common Mistakes
When entrepreneurs encounter crises, here are pitfalls to avoid:
- No Backup Plan: Relying solely on a single option is the equivalent of Shenzhou 20 cracking without a prepped Shenzhou 22.
- Underestimating Small Risks: Like space debris, even minor bugs or one-time service interruptions can escalate to business-threatening problems later.
- Siloed Teams: Without communication pipelines, you risk confusion and delays that undermine response time.
- Procrastinating Decisions: Waiting to act often limits success or worsens situations. Bias yourself toward action when necessary.
Managing Crisis Like a Space Pro: A Step-by-Step Guide
Whether handling an account emergency or pivoting a poorly received product, here’s how to adapt a space-grade methodology to business:
1. Identify Failure Points Early. Regular audits, whether financial, technical, or operational, help spot cracks like those on Shenzhou 20.
2. Pre-package Your Backup Solutions. Prioritize cost-effective tools or ideas that can substitute for potential problems, such as alternate market testing platforms or delayed project milestones.
3. Build “What If” Playbooks. Just as Shenzhou 22 launched from years of launcher prep, draft solutions for scenarios that may never happen but hold business risk.
4. Train Your Team for Crisis Response. Crisis simulations are not limited to space agencies. Teach team members key action plans to solve problems independently.
5. Document Lessons for the Future. Post-crisis debriefs add exponential value to your business's maturity. Without iteration, you risk repeating mistakes.
Why European Female Founders Should Take Note
Europe, including my own Netherlands, thrives on diverse startups where resilience is a marker of longevity. Women launching startups in regions rich with financial grants and smaller accelerator networks might feel isolated when external setbacks arise. One lesson I appreciate from Tiangong’s crisis is that proactive preparation and mutual trust can overcome even the deepest bottlenecks.
Like Chinese Chief Designer Zhou Jianping guiding his team, female founders in particular need mentors who offer good guidance under pressure. Joining communities like Fe/male Switch can provide insights and peer guidance when things don’t quite go to plan.
Conclusion
When life threw space debris at Tiangong, China’s space program was ready. Back on Earth, entrepreneurs can replicate the same preparedness, team synergy, and rapid response. Female entrepreneurs, especially in Europe, should view scenarios like this as blueprints for managing their ventures under stress, no matter how small or large the perceived impact.
So, if you don’t have a Shenzhou equivalent yet, start building your own “lifeboat” strategy today. It’s the ultimate move for resilience, whether your terrain is outer space or Europe’s startup scene.
FAQ
1. What led to the emergency launch of Shenzhou 22?
The emergency launch was triggered after minor cracks were found in the viewing port of Shenzhou 20 due to suspected space debris damage, making it unsafe for returning astronauts. Read more on Ars Technica.
2. Who were the astronauts affected by the Shenzhou 20 damage?
The current Tiangong crew in 2025 included Zhang Lu, Fu Wei, and Zhang Hongzhang. They were left without a safe return option until the launch of Shenzhou 22. Discover the crew's situation on Ars Technica.
3. How did China's space program respond to the crisis?
China expedited the launch of Shenzhou 22, originally planned for 2026, to serve as a lifeboat for their stranded astronauts. This involved precise coordination and activation of years of contingency planning. Learn more about the crisis response at Al Jazeera.
4. What was the timeline of events during the emergency?
- Nov 4, 2025: Damage discovered on Shenzhou 20.
- Nov 14, 2025: Crew returned via Shenzhou 21.
- Nov 25, 2025: Shenzhou 22 launched and docked with Tiangong. Read about the timeline at Reuters.
5. How does Shenzhou 22 function as a lifeboat?
Shenzhou 22 safely docked at Tiangong space station and is equipped to remain operational as a contingency return vehicle for the crew. Explore the spacecraft's role on Engadget.
6. What lessons can entrepreneurs learn from this crisis?
Entrepreneurs can apply lessons such as planning for contingencies, fostering team collaboration, and making swift integrity-driven decisions during crises. Discover these lessons from Fe/male Switch.
7. How significant is the space debris threat?
Space debris poses growing risks; similar incidents include the Soyuz MS-22 coolant leak and Boeing Starliner landing issues. Read more about related incidents on Ars Technica.
8. What prompted the Tiangong station’s lifeboat policy?
China Manned Space Agency follows global standards to always maintain lifeboat spacecraft on stations, akin to processes used on the International Space Station. Learn more about China's protocols on BBC Newsround.
9. Why was Shenzhou 21 used instead of Shenzhou 20?
Shenzhou 20 was deemed unsafe due to its cracked viewing port, resulting in the outgoing crew using Shenzhou 21 to return to Earth. Check out coverage at Live Science.
10. What is the next step for China’s Tiangong station?
Shenzhou 22 will remain docked as an evacuation craft until the next crew rotation in 2026, while damaged Shenzhou 20 undergoes ground-level analysis. Explore future actions at CBS News.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
