China's first cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-1 was launched by LM-7 launch vehicle from the Wenchang Space Launch Center at 19:41 p.m. (Beijing time) today.

Tianzhou-1 is the first cargo ship developed by China Academy of Space Technology (CAST). Measuring 10.6 meters in length and up to 3.35 meters in diameter, the tube-like Tianzhou-1 can carry over 6 tons of cargo.

It is expected to operate in orbit at 380 kilometers and then dock with the orbiting Tiangong-2 space lab three times and conduct propellant refueling in orbit as well as other space experiments before falling back to earth. Tiangong-2 will remain in orbit and continue its experiments.

The launch of Tianzhou-1 will is a crucial step for China plans for a space station by approximately 2022.

The LM-7 launch vehicle is developed by China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT). Fuelled by liquid oxygen and kerosene, the medium-sized launch vehicle t is able to carry cargo spacecraft and satellites with the capability of 13.5 tons to low-Earth orbit. It made its maiden flight June 2016.

The launch mission is the 2^nd mission of the Long March7 series launch vehicle and the 247^th flight of Long March Family.

Date:2017-04-20