On May 29, 2021, the Long March-7 Y3 rocket launched the Chinese cargo spacecraft “Tianzhou-2” or “Heavenly Vessel” from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in the southern island of Hainan.
The Tianzhou-2 spacecraft successfully sailed with the Tiangong Space Station.
*The spacecraft carries materials, equipment and propulsion attached to the main block of the space station, Diane.
*The launch is part of the construction of the Tiangang Space Station.
Tianzhou-2:
*Tianzhou-2 is the second of 11 missions required to complete China’s first self-developed space station by 2022.
*Background – The first cargo spacecraft Tianshou-1 was sent to refuel a space laboratory Tiangong-2 three times in 2017.
*Future development – China will launch two other major modules, Wentian and Mengtian, using Long March 5B.