China's cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-6 separated from the orbiting station combination at 4:02 p.m. Beijing Time on Friday and switched to independent flight, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMS).

The spacecraft will re-enter the atmosphere as most of the components will be burned up and few remains will fall into a designated safe zone in the southern Pacific Ocean.

The spacecraft was launched in May, carrying essential supplies and spacesuits as well as maintenance components, application facilities and propellant to support the operations of the space station.  Its successor, the Tianzhou-7 cargo spacecraft, is expected to launch from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in early 2024.