Tianzhou 3
Tianzhou 3 (Chinese: 天舟三号) is a mission of the Tianzhou-class uncrewed cargo spacecraft, launched on 20 September 2021, at 07:10:11 UTC.[1] Like previous Tianzhou missions, the spacecraft was launched from Wenchang Satellite Launch Center in Hainan, China on a Long March 7 launch vehicle.
![]() A 1:144 scale Tianzhou 1 model | |
| Mission type | Tiangong space station resupply |
|---|---|
| Operator | CNSA |
| COSPAR ID | 2021-085A |
| SATCAT no. | 49222 |
| Website | http://www.cnsa.gov.cn/ |
| Mission duration | 12 months (planned) 86 days, 18 hours, 2 minutes (in progress) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Tianzhou-3 |
| Spacecraft type | Tianzhou |
| Manufacturer | China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation |
| Dry mass | 6,640 kg (14,640 lb) |
| Dimensions | 10.6 m × 3.35 m (34.8 ft × 11.0 ft) |
| Power | watts |
| Expedition | |
| Space Station | Tiangong space station |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 20 September 2021, 07:10:11 UTC |
| Rocket | Long March 7 |
| Launch site | Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, LC-201 |
| Contractor | China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Low Earth orbit |
| Inclination | 41.5° |
| Docking with Chinese Space Station | |
| Docking port | Tianhe Aft port |
| Docking date | 20 September 2021, 14:08 UTC[1] |
| Time docked | 86 days, 11 hours and 4 minutes |
Tianzhou 3 is the second cargo resupply mission to the Tianhe core module (TCM) of the under-construction Tiangong space station, carrying over six tons of supplies. The spacecraft successfully docked at the TCM's aft port seven hours after launch at 14:08 UTC, where it will remain until after the arrival of Shenzhou 13 in October.[1]
Spacecraft
The Tianzhou cargo ship has several notable differences with the Tiangong stations from which it is derived. It has only three segments of solar panels (against 4 for Tiangong), but has 4 maneuvering engines (against 2).[2]
References
- Jones, Andrew (20 September 2021). "Tianzhou-3 spacecraft docks with Chinese space station". SpaceNews. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
- "Tianzhou 3". Next Spaceflight. 20 September 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
