China launches cargo spacecraft to dock with space station module
(VOVWORLD) - China launched Long March-7 Y3 rocket, carrying Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft on Saturday, which is scheduled to dock with the space station core module Tianhe to deliver supplies, equipment and propellant.
 China successfully launches the cargo ship Tianzhou-2 (Photo: Xinhua News Agency) |
The Long March-7 Y3 rocket, carrying Tianzhou-2, blasted off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on the coast of the southern island province of Hainan, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). After 604 seconds, Tianzhou-2 separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. At 9:17 p.m., the solar panels of Tianzhou-2 unfolded and began working properly. China launched its space station core module Tianhe on April 29.
The Tianzhou-2 cargo ship is responsible for refueling the core module and transporting supplies for outer space missions. The manned spacecraft Shenzhou-12 is expected to be launched into space by a Long March-2F booster in June, bringing three astronauts into orbit.