By 
May 5th, 2023
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
China’s Tianzhou-5 uncrewed cargo spacecraft has decoupled from the country’s space station, successfully separating from the orbital complex on Friday.
According to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), the vessel switched to independent flight mode flying towards the Earth for eventual reentry into the atmosphere.
The Tianzhou-5’s departure now leaves open the docking hatch for the upcoming Tianzhou-6 fully-stocked cargo vessel that is scheduled to dock with the space station in early or mid-May.
Image credit: CGTN/Inside Outer Space screengrab
More equipment, materials
Back in November 2022, the now undocked cargo craft was lofted by a Long March-7 launcher, hauling roughly 5 tons of goods and materials, along with 1.4 tons of propellant to sustain crews onboard the Tiangong space station.
After the Shenzhou-15 piloted spaceship departs the station combination later this month, the Tianzhou-5 will orbit and dock at the forward port of the station’s node cabin, the CMSA said in a statement.
Compared with its predecessors, the Tianzhou-6 supply ship will tote more equipment and materials for scientific experiments and technological demonstrations at the station, according to China Central Television (CCTV).
To view a new video on the Tianzhou-5’s departure from China’s space station, go to:
Posted in Space News
