China Successfully Launches Its First Unmanned Cargo Spacecraft

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Apr 24, 2017 03:18 AM EDT

China has launched Tianzhou 1, which is its first unmanned cargo spacecraft in space. The aircraft blasted off from Wenchang Satellite Launch Centre in Hainan on April 20 at 7:41 p.m.

According to Aerospace Technology, the Tianzhou 1 spacecraft was launched aboard a latest Long March-7 rocket. The spacecraft is intended to assist China in making its personal and stable manned space headquarters by 2022.

It is reported that within two days from sent off, Tianzhou 1 is expected to land to Tiangong 2 space laboratory, the second station of China in space. Two Chinese space travelers marked the country’s longest manned space mission after staying in Tiangong 2 for a month last October.

Tiangong 2 precursor station was launched in September 2016, and its 20-ton central module will be established in 2018, ABC News reported. The entire 60-ton station was scheduled to be completed in 2022 and to operate for at least ten years.

In 2016, China cut connections with its first model space station, Tiangong 1, which was launched in 2011. The country will soon hinder the station from entering the Earth’s atmosphere.

China was prohibited by the United States from the 420-ton International Space Station. This is because the Chinese space program has solid military affiliations. As a result, Chinese's officials are now funding the mission of other countries to Tiangong 2.

China carried out its initial crewed space mission in 2003. Since that time, the country arranged a spacewalk and docked its Jade Rabbit traveler on the moon. Furthermore, the country planned to launch in 2020 another rover on Mars and returns samples. Its goal is to become the first nation to soft-land a bore on the distant edge of the moon.

The Long March 7, which is a dual stage and average lift, is expected to mold the backbone of China's rocket convoy. It is also likely to flame a fuel mixture that is safer and more eco-friendly.

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