Wenchang, Hainan Province — In a remarkable milestone for China’s space exploration efforts, the Tianzhou-8 cargo spacecraft was successfully launched aboard the Long March-7 Y9 carrier rocket from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the island province of Hainan on Friday.
The Long March-7 Y9 rocket, a new-generation medium-sized carrier rocket developed by China, stands at 53.1 meters tall and features a diameter of 3.35 meters. Equipped with four boosters, it boasts a payload capacity of up to 14 tonnes to low Earth orbit. The rocket’s high reliability, safety, and environmentally friendly technology make it a key asset in China’s ambitious space endeavors.
The successful launch marks a significant upgrade in the Tianzhou cargo spacecraft series. Designed to support the construction and ongoing operation of China’s space station, the Tianzhou-8’s mission includes delivering essential supplies, transporting cargo, refueling the space station, and returning waste materials to Earth. Measuring 10.6 meters in length with a maximum diameter of 3.35 meters, the spacecraft is carrying approximately 6 tonnes of supplies.
Compared to its predecessors, the Tianzhou-8 boasts enhancements in cargo capacity and variety. Through optimized design, its cargo capacity has increased by 102 kilograms, allowing it to carry a broader range of supplies. Among the cargo are provisions for the upcoming Shenzhou-19 and Shenzhou-20 astronaut crews, including daily necessities, scientific experiment materials, consumables for environmental control, and personalized gifts for the astronauts.
This mission is also significant for its scientific contributions. The Tianzhou-8 is transporting 458 kilograms of scientific application materials to support 36 experiments in fields such as biotechnology, materials science, and microgravity fluid physics. These experiments aim to advance our understanding of complex scientific phenomena in the unique conditions of space.
Notably, the spacecraft is carrying “lunar soil bricks” made from materials that simulate lunar soil. These will undergo exposure experiments to test their mechanical, thermal, and radiation resistance properties. The data gathered will be invaluable for the future construction of lunar bases and will support China’s deep-space exploration and lunar missions.
The successful launch of the Tianzhou-8 not only underscores China’s growing capabilities in space technology but also contributes significantly to international space research and exploration efforts. As China continues to expand its presence in space, collaborations and scientific advancements like these pave the way for new discoveries and innovations that benefit all of humanity.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
