The Long March-7 Y10 rocket and Tianzhou-9 cargo spacecraft were transported to the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the Chinese mainland’s southern Hainan Province on Saturday, marking a key step ahead of their upcoming resupply mission to China’s space station.
According to the China Manned Space Agency, all launch pad systems are in prime condition. Engineers will now carry out a series of integrated checks and joint tests, paving the way for launch at the optimal window.
Rocket Powering the Mission
Standing 53.1 meters tall with a 3.35-meter diameter, the Long March-7 uses kerosene and liquid oxygen for a cleaner, safer flight. Equipped with four boosters, it delivers a low-Earth orbit payload capacity of 14 tonnes—perfect for ferrying supplies aboard Tianzhou-9.
This reliable medium-lift vehicle has already placed Tianzhou-1 through Tianzhou-8 into orbit. A dedicated backup rocket can be launched within three months if the station requires urgent support, according to experts at the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
Dynamic Navigation & Precision
Much like modern navigation apps rerouting drivers around traffic, the Long March-7 can recalculate its trajectory in real time. This dynamic guidance ensures orbital insertion accuracy within four seconds, adapting on the fly to hit precise coordinates.
What’s Aboard the Cargo Ship?
Tianzhou-9 will haul roughly 6.5 tonnes of vital supplies—consumables, propellants and scientific gear—to support Shenzhou-20 and Shenzhou-21 taikonauts. Notably, two next-generation spacesuits with extended lifespans will boost spacewalk capacity from 15 to 20 operations over four years.
The mission also includes a core muscle training device to help crew members counteract microgravity’s toll, plus cutting-edge experimental equipment designed to unlock new discoveries in orbit.
Reference(s):
Rocket carrying Tianzhou-9 cargo spaceship moved to launch pad
cgtn.com
