Tianzhou 9
![]() A Tianzhou 3D model | |
Mission type | Tiangong space station resupply |
---|---|
Operator | China National Space Administration |
COSPAR ID | 2025-149A |
SATCAT no. | 64786![]() |
Mission duration | 24 days, 7 hours and 52 minutes (in progress) |
Spacecraft properties | |
Spacecraft | Tianzhou-9 |
Spacecraft type | Tianzhou |
Manufacturer | China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation |
Launch mass | 14,000 kg (31,000 lb) |
Payload mass | 7,400 kg (16,300 lb) |
Dimensions | 10.6 m × 3.35 m (34.8 ft × 11.0 ft) |
Power | 2 |
Expedition | |
Space station | Tiangong space station |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 14 July 2025, 21:34 UTC[1] |
Rocket | Long March 7 |
Launch site | Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, LC-201 |
Contractor | China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
Regime | Low Earth orbit |
Inclination | 41.5° |
Docking with Tiangong space station | |
Docking port | Tianhe aft |
Docking date | 15 July 2025, 00:52 UTC |
Time docked | 24 days, 4 hours and 34 minutes (in progress) |
![]() Mission patch |
Tianzhou 9 (Chinese: 天舟九号) is the ninth mission of the Tianzhou-class uncrewed cargo spacecraft, and the eighth resupply mission to the Tiangong Space Station. Like previous Tianzhou missions, the spacecraft was launched from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center in Hainan, China on a Long March 7 rocket. It carried the heaviest payload ever delivered by a Chinese cargo spacecraft.[2]
Mission history
[edit]The Tianzhou 9 cargo resupply craft launched on 14 July 2025 at 21:34 UTC, docking with the Tiangong space station some three hours later on 15 July 2025 at 00:52 UTC.[3] It resupplied the Shenzhou 20 mission, which is expected to return to Earth by November 2025.[4]
Payload
[edit]The craft delivered nearly 6,500 kg of supplies including propellant, over 700 kg of science experiments, crew necessities and two new, improved model spacesuits.[3][2]
Spacecraft
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Jones, Andrew (June 22, 2025). "China launches ChinaSat-9C geostationary communications satellite". Space News. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
- ^ a b "Tianzhou 9 embarks on cargo mission to Tiangong". chinadaily.
- ^ a b "China's cargo craft Tianzhou-9 docks with space station Tiangong". chinadailyhk.
- ^ "China set for Shenzhou-20 spaceflight launch today". The News International. April 24, 2025. Retrieved June 28, 2025.