China will launch a Tianzhou 8 cargo mission to the Tiangong space station

China is set to deliver vital supplies to its Tiangong space station with the launch of the Tianzhou 8 cargo mission. The mission, led by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), aims to support the crew of Shenzhou 19, which will arrive on 20 October arrived. Commander Cai Xuzhe, along with rookie astronauts Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze, are expected to receive a new delivery of supplies. and scientific equipment for their continued activities on board the station. The Long March 7 rocket carrying the Tianzhou 8 spacecraft was moved to the launch pad at the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Hainan Island on November 13.

Launch and docking schedule

According to one report by Space.com, the Long March 7 rocket is expected to lift off around 10:10 a.m. EST on Friday, and be docked within hours of launch. Based on previous reports, a livestream of the event is likely Tianzhou is launched. The cargo mission, originally intended to precede the launch of the Shenzhou 19 crew, suffered delays due to Typhoon Yagi, which disrupted preparations at the Wenchang site.

Scientific experiments and supplies on board

The Tianzhou 8 cargo spacecraft is equipped with supplies and scientific equipment, including a set of bricks made from lunar soil simulant. Over the next three years, these stones will be tested in the vacuum of space to assess their durability under cosmic rays, ultraviolet radiation and temperature fluctuations. This experiment will contribute to China’s International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project, which aims to establish a permanent lunar base in the 2030s.

Technological progress in Tianzhou 8

This mission marks the third deployment of an upgraded Tianzhou cargo vessel, with improvements that allow for increased payload capacity by an additional 100 kilograms. With a total weight of approximately 14,000 kilograms at launch, the Tianzhou 8 can now carry up to 7,500 kilograms of payload, improving logistics efficiency and reducing the need for frequent resupply missions. The upgrades are part of a broader strategy to keep Tiangong station permanently staffed and operational for at least a decade, with plans to expand the station and open it to commercial activities.

China’s Tiangong space station, about one-fifth the size of the International Space Station (ISS), plays a key role in the country’s growing space ambitions.