Cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-3 blasts off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan on Monday. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
China's cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-3, carrying supplies for the upcoming Shenzhou-13 crewed mission, successfully docked with the space station core module Tianhe on Monday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
At 10:08 pm (Beijing Time), Tianzhou-3 completed a computer-orchestrated rendezvous and docking at the rear docking port of the Tianhe core module. The whole process took approximately 6.5 hours, the CMSA said.
Tianzhou-3 carries nearly 6 tonnes of goods and materials, including living supplies for astronauts who will be taking part in the coming Shenzhou-13 mission , one extravehicular space suit for back-up, supplies for extravehicular activities, space station platform materials, payloads and propellants
The Long March-7 Y4 rocket, carrying Tianzhou-3, blasted off at 3:10 pm from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan. After 597 seconds, Tianzhou-3 separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. At 3:22 pm, the solar panels of Tianzhou-3 unfolded and began working properly.
The CMSA declared the launch a complete success.
On Sept 18, the Tianzhou-2 cargo craft separated from the rear docking port of Tianhe and docked with its front docking port.
ALSO READ: Tianzhou-2 docks with Tianhe's front docking port
Following Tianzhou-3's docking, the two cargo crafts are docked at the two ends of the Tianhe core module to form a linear shape, waiting for the arrival of Shenzhou-13 crew members.
The Long March-7 Y4 rocket, carrying Tianzhou-3, blasts off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan province on Sept 20, 2021. ( MI SIYUAN / XINHUA)
Tianzhou-3 carries nearly 6 tonnes of goods and materials, including living supplies for the astronauts, one extravehicular space suit for back-up, supplies for extravehicular activities, space station platform materials, payloads and propellants.
China plans to complete the verification of key technologies and the in-orbit construction of the space station through multiple launches within two years.
Five launch missions are planned for this year, namely the launch of the Tianhe core module, Tianzhou-2 cargo ship, Shenzhou-12 crewed mission, Tianzhou-3 cargo ship and the upcoming Shenzhou-13 crewed mission.
The Long March-7 Y4 rocket, carrying Tianzhou-3, blasts off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan province on Sept 20, 2021. (ZHOU JIAYI / XINHUA)
Six more missions will come in 2022, including the launch of the Wentian and Mengtian lab modules, two cargo spacecraft and two crewed spaceships, to complete the construction of the space station.
Monday's launch is the 20th mission of China's manned space programs and the 389th mission of the Long March rocket series.
READ MORE: Q&A: Shenzhou-12 taikonauts talk with HK students