Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

Image credit: CCTV

Preparations are underway for the upcoming launch of China’s Tianzhou-7 cargo craft to that country’s space station.

As part of the process, the Tianzhou-6 separated from the orbiting station on Friday and switched to independent flight, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMS).

Under ground control, Tianzhou-6 is headed for an ocean dumping within a designated zone in the southern Pacific Ocean.

The supply ship, launched in May of last year, was packed with supplies, spacesuits as well as maintenance components, application facilities and propellant to support the operations of the space station. 

Image credit: CGTN/ infographic by Yu Peng

Making way

The Tianzhou-6 undocked from the aft port of China’s orbiting facility to make way for the arrival of the Tianzhou-7 cargo craft.

Tianzhou-6 will continue orbiting Earth until the Tianzhou-7 completes its docking with the space station.

As noted by China Central Television (CCTV), Tianzhou-6 marks the first mission of China’s improved cargo spacecraft. After the upgrade, the effective loading room was expanded by 20 percent compared with previous cargo-carrying ships, increased from 6.9 tons to 7.4 tons.

Meanwhile, the Tianzhou-7 is being readied for liftoff at Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan. The supply craft has been assembled with its booster, the Long March-7 Y8 launcher. The combination will be moved to the launch pad in the near future, reports CCTV.