"Space Express" is delivered! The launch of Tianzhou-7 was a complete success

At 22:27 on January 17, the Long March 7 Yao-8 carrier rocket carrying the Tianzhou-7 cargo spacecraft was ignited and launched at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in my country.

The Long March 7 Yao-8 carrier rocket carrying the Tianzhou-7 cargo spacecraft was ignited and launched at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in my country.

Image source: Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Yang Guanyu)

About 10 minutes later, the spacecraft successfully separated from the rocket and entered the predetermined orbit. After that, the spacecraft's solar panels were smoothly deployed and the launch was a complete success.

What's inside the Tianzhou-7? It's more than just delivering goods

As the ground logistics supply spacecraft of the space station, the Tianzhou cargo spacecraft undertakes the tasks of supplying the space station with propellant and transporting daily necessities for astronauts. In order to meet the needs of different cargo transportation, the Tianzhou cargo spacecraft is designed with three types: fully sealed cargo spacecraft, semi-sealed and semi-open cargo spacecraft, and fully open cargo spacecraft.

According to the plan, after successfully docking with the space station, the Tianzhou-7 cargo spacecraft will form a complex with the space station, with the main task of replenishing supplies to the space station and supporting on-orbit scientific experiments. At the same time, it will be responsible for the attitude and orbit control of the entire complex and provide support for the downlink destruction of waste.

This mission is the fourth launch mission of my country's manned space program after it entered the space station application and development stage. In addition to carrying astronauts' on-orbit consumables, propellants, application (test) equipment and other materials, it also sent the Shenzhou 17 astronaut crew "New Year's goods" for the Year of the Dragon.

Congratulations on another breakthrough in manned space flight!

Comprehensive sources: Xinhua News Agency, China Manned Spaceflight, etc.