China announces successful launch of Shenzhou-22 spaceship

China successfully launched the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft at 12:11 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Tuesday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

A Long March-2F carrier rocket blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, successfully sending the unmanned spacecraft into its planned orbit approximately 10 minutes later.

Click here for our live coverage of the event.

The Shenzhou-22 mission carries essential supplies including space food, medical provisions, fresh produce, and space station spare parts. Notably, it also carries specialized equipment to address the window crack identified on the Shenzhou-20 return capsule.

After orbital insertion, the spacecraft will perform a fast automated rendezvous and docking with the China Space Station. This launch represents several key milestones: the 38th mission of China's manned space program, the 610th flight of the Long March rocket series, and the program's first demonstration of emergency launch capability.

According to earlier information from CMSA, the Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft was suspected to have been struck by tiny pieces of space debris. To ensure the safety of the taikonauts and the mission's success, authorities decided to postpone the Shenzhou-20 return mission, originally scheduled for November 5.

Subsequent photo analysis, design reviews, simulations and wind tunnel tests confirmed that the Shenzhou-20 return capsule's window had developed fine cracks, most likely caused by an external debris impact. The damage did not meet the safety requirements for a crewed return, so Shenzhou-20 will remain in orbit to carry out related experiments.

On November 14, the return capsule of Shenzhou-21 touched down safely at the Dongfeng landing site. The Shenzhou-20 crew, Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie, returned to Earth aboard the capsule in good health.

Meanwhile, the Shenzhou-21 crew continues to work normally in orbit and remains in good condition.

China has adopted a "one launch, one backup" rolling mechanism for its crewed missions. When Shenzhou-21 lifted off, the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft and its Long March-2F rocket were already on emergency standby at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.