Tianzhou, meaning "Heavenly Ship," is China’s automated cargo spacecraft developed by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) to support and resupply the Tiangong space station. Designed with versatility and capability in mind, Tianzhou functions similarly to Russia’s Progress and Japan’s HTV vehicles, yet is uniquely tailored to China’s expanding space infrastructure. This spacecraft plays a pivotal role in enabling long-duration crewed missions by delivering critical supplies such as food, water, scientific equipment, oxygen, and fuel.

Specs

Length: 10.6 meters (35 feet)

Diameter: 3.35 meters (11 feet)

Launch Mass: 13,500 kg (29,800 lbs)

Cargo Capacity: Up to 6,500 kg (14,300 lbs)

With advanced autonomous docking capabilities, Tianzhou can connect to the Tiangong station without crew intervention. Utilizing a sophisticated guidance system, it performs docking and undocking operations independently, which significantly reduces the workload for astronauts. This automation streamlines resupply operations, conserving valuable crew time for other essential tasks.

One of Tianzhou’s standout features is its ability to refuel the space station. In addition to transporting supplies, it transfers propellant to Tiangong, enabling orbital reboosts and maintaining the station’s altitude. This refueling capability is crucial for station-keeping, as Tiangong’s orbit naturally decays due to atmospheric drag, ensuring it remains in a stable orbit for extended missions.

The spacecraft boasts a modular design with both pressurized and unpressurized compartments. The pressurized section is used to carry essential supplies and scientific payloads, while the unpressurized section can be utilized for transporting fuel or other equipment, enhancing the spacecraft's flexibility.

Launched atop a Long March 7 rocket, Tianzhou missions typically conclude with a controlled deorbit, safely burning up over the ocean to reduce space debris. Tianzhou’s first mission, Tianzhou-1, took place in April 2017, marking a significant milestone by demonstrating the spacecraft’s refueling capabilities and successful autonomous docking with Tiangong-2. This mission was pivotal in practicing automated docking operations, preparing for future flights.

Phot courtesy of China National Space Agency.

Meet China's new crew and cargo rocket.

The Chang Zheng 7, nicknamed Bingjian ("Ice Arrow"), is a two-stage, modern, upgraded rocket from China.

The rocket is helped at liftoff by four boosters bolted to the side of the first stage.

The Chang Zheng 7 is designed to replace the aging Chang Zheng 2F that uses highly toxic propellants and drops its boosters and stages over land and, sometimes, onto villages and towns.

Chang Zheng 7 instead uses liquid kerosene and liquid oxygen, which are standard rocket fuels used around the world. It also launches over the open ocean and drops its boosters and stages harmlessly into the sea.

While it waits to carry its first crew, the Chang Zheng 7 is tasked with launching cargo missions to the new Chinese space station called Tiangong.

Photo credit: China National Space Administration

Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site

Wenchang is a former suborbital test site located in Wenchang, Hainan, China.

It is China's southernmost launch site. Located on an island, rocket stages are delivered via ship.

Construction of the orbital launch pads began in September 2007, and the launch site was completed in October 2014. The first orbital launch took place on June 25th, 2016.

The site has two active launch pads, with a third planned. LC-1 is used to launch the Chang Zheng 5 rocket while LC-2 is used for the Chang Zheng 7 and 8 rocket families.

Operations at Wenchang are managed by the Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

This is the Tiangong Space Station, China's large, in-space construction project that will take two years to complete.

The station will have three modules for a crew of three to live and work and will have three sets of solar arrays for power.

It will be one-fifth the size of the International Space Station when complete and about the same size as the former Mir space station.

Construction began with the launch of the Tianhe module on April 29th, 2021.

A second module, Wentian, is planned to launch in July 2022, followed by the Mengtian module in October 2022.

Tiangong is in a 41-degree orbit, meaning it travels as far North as 41 degrees and as far South as 41 degrees latitude when seen from the ground.

It is designed to operate for at least 10 years.

Picture: China Manned Space Engineering Office