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Tianzhou 9

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tianzhou 9
Tianzhou 1 model
A Tianzhou 3D model
Mission typeTiangong space station resupply
OperatorChina National Space Administration
COSPAR ID2025-149A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.64786Edit this on Wikidata
Mission duration24 days, 7 hours and 52 minutes (in progress)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftTianzhou-9
Spacecraft typeTianzhou
ManufacturerChina Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
Launch mass14,000 kg (31,000 lb)
Payload mass7,400 kg (16,300 lb)
Dimensions10.6 m × 3.35 m (34.8 ft × 11.0 ft)
Power2
Expedition
Space stationTiangong space station
Start of mission
Launch date14 July 2025, 21:34 UTC[1]
RocketLong March 7
Launch siteWenchang Satellite Launch Center, LC-201
ContractorChina Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Inclination41.5°
Docking with Tiangong space station
Docking portTianhe aft
Docking date15 July 2025, 00:52 UTC
Time docked24 days, 4 hours and 34 minutes (in progress)

Mission patch

Tianzhou 9 (Chinese: ) 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

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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

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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

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References

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  1. ^ Jones, Andrew (June 22, 2025). "China launches ChinaSat-9C geostationary communications satellite". Space News. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Tianzhou 9 embarks on cargo mission to Tiangong". chinadaily.
  3. ^ a b "China's cargo craft Tianzhou-9 docks with space station Tiangong". chinadailyhk.
  4. ^ "China set for Shenzhou-20 spaceflight launch today". The News International. April 24, 2025. Retrieved June 28, 2025.