China successfully launched the Tianzhou 8 robotic cargo ship on Friday night from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province. The mission marks the final spacecraft visit to the Tiangong Space Station this year.
At 11:13 PM local time, a Long March 7 carrier rocket carried Tianzhou 8 into space. The rocket deployed the cargo ship into its preset low-Earth orbit shortly after liftoff, with the spacecraft’s solar wings unfolding as planned, signaling a successful launch, according to the China Manned Space Agency.
Within three hours of its launch, Tianzhou 8 is scheduled to dock with the station’s Tianhe core module. As the 15th spacecraft to visit Tiangong, the vessel is tasked with resupplying propellants and delivering essential supplies for the Shenzhou XIX crew, who have been aboard the station for two weeks.
According to the China Academy of Space Technology, the cargo ship carries materials sufficient to support a three-member crew for nine months.
Meanwhile, its predecessor, Tianzhou 7, undocked from Tiangong last Sunday and is currently in a solo flight phase. The spacecraft is programmed to reenter Earth’s atmosphere soon, with most of it expected to burn up during reentry. A small amount of debris may fall into designated areas of the South Pacific Ocean, according to the space agency.
Orbiting approximately 400 kilometers above Earth, the Tiangong Space Station comprises three permanent modules: the Tianhe core module and two science capsules. The station regularly accommodates visiting crewed and cargo spacecraft, supporting China’s expanding presence in space exploration.
This launch underscores China’s advancements in space technology and its continued commitment to building a sustainable orbital platform for scientific and technological pursuits.
