Tianzhou-2 has retired with honor. What contributions has it made?

Recently, the reporter learned from the China Manned Space Engineering Office that the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft had re-entered the atmosphere in a controlled manner at 18:40 Beijing time on March 31. Most of the spacecraft's components were ablated and destroyed, and a small amount of debris fell into the designated safe waters in the South Pacific.

A simulated image of the controlled re-entry mission of the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft was taken at the Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center on March 31. This is the pitch angle adjustment of the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Guo Zhongzheng

Tianzhou-2 is the first cargo spacecraft launched during the key technology verification phase of China's space station. It was launched into orbit on May 29, 2021. This is also the first application flight of my country's space station cargo transportation system, delivering 6.8 tons of supplies to the space station.

During the in-orbit operation, the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft conducted four rendezvous and docking with the Tianhe core module, and completed a number of extended application tests as planned, including spacecraft flyby, robotic arm transfer module verification, manual remote rendezvous and docking, etc. After separation from the space station, the remaining spacecraft propellant was fully utilized to successfully carry out a 2-hour rapid rendezvous test between the cargo spacecraft and the space station, accumulating experience for the in-orbit construction and operation management of the space station.

A simulated image of the controlled re-entry mission of the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft was taken at the Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center on March 31. This is the second time the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft has started its engine after leaving orbit. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Guo Zhongzheng

After bidding farewell to the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft, the astronaut crew in orbit is making intensive preparations for the return of the Shenzhou-13 spacecraft. Currently, the core module of the space station is operating stably in orbit, and the astronaut crew plans to return to the ground in mid-April.

What mission does Tianzhou-2 undertake?

What contributions have been made?

Learn more through a set of pictures

Comprehensive sources: Xinhuanet, Guangming.com, Our Space, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, etc.