China launched the cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-2 on May 29, which has docked with the space station core module Tianhe. It delivered supplies for the first crew, equipment, and propellant. The Long March-7 Y3 rocket, carrying Tianzhou-2, blasted off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site at 8:55 p.m. (00:55 UTC), according to the China Manned Space Agency. The launch was a complete success, the CMSA said.
The cargo includes more than 160 large and small packages, supplies for astronauts, space-science equipment, and 2 tons of propellant, which are needed to keep the station in a stable orbit. After docking with Tianhe, Tianzhou-2 will replenish Tianhe’s propellant and help test equipment for space application projects.
Three astronauts will be launched on the Shenzhou-12 mission, and will stay in orbit for three months. It will be their job to unpack the goods stowed inside Tianzhou-2. In addition to supplies for the first crew of three astronauts, the gear delivered by Tianzhou-2 also includes two spacesuits for extravehicular activities, each weighing more than 100 kg. This year, two manned craft will dock with the station.