Tianzhou (spacecraft)
Tianzhou 2 cargo spacecraft prior to launch | |
| Manufacturer | CASC |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | China |
| Operator | CMSA |
| Applications | Tiangong Space Station resupply |
| Specifications | |
| Spacecraft type | Automated cargo spacecraft |
| Launch mass | 13,500 kg (29,800 lb) (basic); 14,000 kg (31,000 lb) (improved) |
| Payload capacity | 6,900 kg (15,200 lb) (basic); 7,400 kg (16,300 lb) (improved) |
| Dimensions | 10.6 m × 3.35 m (34.8 ft × 11.0 ft) |
| Volume | 40 m3 (1,400 cu ft) |
| Production | |
| Status | Active |
| On order | 1 |
| Built | 8 |
| Launched | 8 |
| Operational | 1 |
| Maiden launch | Tianzhou 1 |
| Last launch | Tianzhou 8 |
| Related spacecraft | |
| Derived from | Tiangong-1 |
| Powered by | 4× 490 N main engines, 32 attitude control engines (25, 120, 150 N thrust) |
The Tianzhou (Chinese: 天舟; pinyin: Tiān Zhōu; lit. 'Heavenly Ship') is a Chinese automated cargo spacecraft developed from China's first prototype space station Tiangong-1 to resupply its modular space station. It was first launched (Tianzhou 1) on the Long March 7 rocket from Wenchang on April 20, 2017 and demonstrated autonomous propellant transfer (space refueling).
The first version of Tianzhou has a mass of 13,500 kg and can carry 6,500 kg of cargo. Tianzhou-6 is the first improved version of the spacecraft to be launched into orbit; it has a mass of about 14,000 kg and can transport 7,400 kg of cargo.