Wenchang, Hainan Province — In the early hours of Tuesday, the Chinese mainland successfully launched the Tianzhou-9 cargo spacecraft, marking a significant step in its ambitious space program.
The Long March-7 Y10 rocket carrying Tianzhou-9 lifted off at 5:34 a.m. Beijing Time from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on the southern island province of Hainan. The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) confirmed the spacecraft entered its designated orbit approximately ten minutes after launch, with solar panels deploying shortly thereafter.
“The launch was a complete success,” the CMSA announced, as Tianzhou-9 embarked on its mission to rendezvous and dock with the Tiangong space station.
The cargo spacecraft is loaded with essential supplies for the astronauts aboard Tiangong, including consumables, propellant, and equipment for various experiments and tests. This mission is the fourth cargo resupply flight since the space station entered its application and development phase.
The Tiangong space station represents a significant milestone for China’s presence in space, serving as a hub for scientific research and international cooperation. The successful launch of Tianzhou-9 continues to showcase the rapid advancements in China’s space capabilities.
The mission also marks the 584th flight of the Long March rocket series, highlighting the reliability and longevity of this launch vehicle family.
With the Tianzhou-9 mission underway, the Chinese space program continues to inspire a new generation interested in space exploration and technology.
