By 
August 4th, 2016
Frame grab Image of Tiangong-2 via CCTV/GB Times
China is dispatching two of its Long March II F or CZ-2F carrier rockets to the country’s Jiuquan launch site. They are being readied to support launch of the Tiangong-2 space laboratory and the Shenzhou-11 piloted spacecraft.
According to a report on CCTV-Plus news, this is the first time that two CZ-2F rockets have been transferred to the launch center at the same time.
One of the carrier rockets is set to launch in the third quarter of this year (next month) the Tiangong-2 space laboratory. The other booster is to lift off later with two astronauts to dock with the space laboratory.
Final battle
Tiangong-2 arrived at the Jiuquan launch complex early last month and is going through tests prior to its launch.
The Shenzhou-11 piloted craft will carry out a variety of scientific researches and applications, as well as appraise some key techniques and checking on the possibility of long-term human residence in space.
“Let’s put it this way…it’s the start of the final battle of the mission of Tiangong-2 space laboratory. We are going to complete the en-masse lifting and thorough checking of the rocket, upon its arrival at the launch center,” says Jing Muchun, chief commander of CZ-2F rockets on CCTV-Plus.
“The rockets have to be sent into space without a hitch hidden or otherwise. This is our ultimate goal,” says Jing.
If all goes according to plan, the Tianzhou-1 cargo resupply vessel will be hurled into Earth orbit next year to support Tiangong-2 operations. The supply ship will be sent spaceward atop a Long March 7 rocket from the Wenchang launch center in the first half of 2017.
A short CCTV-Plus video is available here showing launch preparations and graphics depicting the Tiangong-2 mission:
http://pv.news.cctvplus.com/2016/0803/8028732_Preview_1470223827673.mp4
Posted in Space News
