China successfully launches Tianzhou-7 cargo spacecraft

The Long March-7 Y8 carrier rocket, carrying the Tianzhou-7 cargo spacecraft, blasted off at 10:27 p.m. Beijing Time from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's island province of Hainan on Wednesday.

The solar panels of the craft were unfolded about 10 minutes after the launch and, later, the mission is confirmed as being successful.

It is the second cargo mission headed for the space station since it entered its application and development phase 2023.

The Tianzhou-7 has expanded on the loading capacity of the Tianzhou-6, making it by far the most powerful cargo ship in the world.

"It has increased the loading space and weight by more than 20 percent, meaning more goods can be transported each time than before," Yang Sheng, researcher at China Academy of Space Technology, told China Media Group (CMG).

The Tianzhou-7 cargo ship will deliver about 5.6 tonnes of supplies, such as necessities and devices for experiments, that will be used by both the in-orbit Shenzhou-17 crew and the subsequent Shenzhou-18 crew. Some of the experimental devices on board weight over 100 kg.

"The cargo ship is carrying necessities of more than 2,400 kg, including fruit," said Chen Tongxiang, a researcher from the cargo ship system from Chinese Academy of Space Technology. "There will also be special Spring Festival gifts for the taikonauts."

It is also taking 1,750 kg of propellants, 700 kg of which will be used for space station replenishment.

Fresh fruit delivery

Among the supplies, there is nearly 90 kg of fresh fruit, which is 30 kg more than previous mission.

"The amount of fresh fruit being delivered this time has been further increased, improving the quality of taikonauts' life in orbit," Yang told CMG. The heavier fruit package won't clutter the craft thanks to its expanded capacity which can now carry up over seven tonnes.

Three-hour docking

Chen told CGTN prior to the launch, "For the first time the 7th Tianzhou cargo ship will adopt a three-hour fast rendezvous and docking with China Space Station."

She said the design had been optimized based on the results from previous missions, meaning the orbit injection accuracy, direction adjustment of the station and over mission efficiency has been improved.

Chen added that Tianzhou-7 will also assist the space station in adjusting its position and orbit after docking is complete.

(CGTN's reporter Zheng Yibing contributed to the story.)