At the moment of Tianzhou launch, let’s see which “delivery guy” has the coolest soaring pose?

May 10

Tianzhou-4 cargo spacecraft rushes into space

Successfully completed "order delivery"

Became the fourth space "courier" in the Tianzhou series

The moment of launch from Tianzhou-1 to Tianzhou-4

Let’s review

Four "express delivery guys" soar into the sky

1⃣️Courier: Tianzhou-1

"Tianzhou-1" is my country's first cargo spacecraft. It was launched on April 20, 2017 and entered the predetermined orbit.

In the six years since the project was launched in 2011, it has been "anonymous" and has worked hard to improve its "internal strength", undergoing thousands of hours of testing and verification, and passing hundreds of large-scale tests and assessments. It has inherited the mature technology of my country's manned spacecraft and space laboratory, and has also pioneered its own seven "unique skills".

⬆️Photo by Wang Sijiang

⬆️Photo by Wang Sijiang

⬆️Photo by Chen Tao

⬆️ Photo by Zhao Yanxun

2⃣️Courier: Tianzhou-2

Tianzhou-2 is the first cargo spacecraft launched during the key technology verification phase of China's space station. It was launched into orbit on May 29, 2021. This is also the first application flight of my country's space station cargo transportation system.

The Tianzhou-2, carrying consumables for three astronauts, extravehicular spacesuits, and platform supplies, rendezvoused and docked with the Tianhe core module in orbit. It conducted four rendezvous and docked with the Tianhe core module and completed a number of extended application tests as planned, including spacecraft flyby, robotic arm transfer module verification, and manual remote-controlled rendezvous and docking.

After separating from the space station, the cargo spacecraft made full use of the remaining propellant in the spacecraft and successfully carried out a 2-hour rapid rendezvous test between the cargo spacecraft and the space station, accumulating experience for the in-orbit construction and operation management of the space station.

⬆️Photo by Tu Haichao

⬆️Photo by Liu Changlian

3⃣️Courier: Tianzhou-3

Tianzhou-3 is the fifth flight mission of China's space station key technology verification and construction phase. It was successfully launched on September 20, 2021.
Based on the full inheritance of the development and flight results of the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft, the Tianzhou-3 cargo spacecraft has also carried out system optimization design, simplified platform configuration, improved transportation efficiency, and promoted independent control of components. It has three notable mission characteristics: dynamic adjustment of the tank, continuous improvement of the localization rate of components, and optimization of equipment configuration.
After completing rendezvous and docking with the space station assembly, Tianzhou-3 entered the assembly flight phase, laying the foundation for subsequent flight missions for the in-orbit construction of the space station.

⬆️Photo by Wang Sijiang

⬆️Photo by Wang Sijiang

4⃣️Courier: Tianzhou-4

The Tianzhou-4 cargo spacecraft is the first spacecraft in the construction phase of my country's space station and was successfully launched on May 10, 2022.

The role of Tianzhou-4 is to transport supplies, refuel, and downlink waste to the space station. It has the capabilities of grid-connected power supply and emergency communications to ensure the smooth operation of the space station complex in orbit.

In this mission, the total weight of the materials carried up by the Tianzhou-4 cargo spacecraft is about 6 tons, which will provide material support for the Shenzhou-14 crew's six-month in-orbit stay, the assembly and construction of the space station, and the implementation of materials science, aerospace medicine experiments and other space station application areas.

⬆️Photo by Yin Rui

⬆️Photo by Tu Haichao

⬆️Photo by Guo Cheng

⬆️Photo by Xiao Hailin

(Our Space)