Tiencou-6 Cargo Shuttle Reaches China’s Space Station
China has successfully launched its sixth cargo shuttle, Tiencou-6, to dock with the core module of its space station. The shuttle was launched on a Long March 7 Y7 rocket from the Vinchang Spacecraft Launch Center on Hainan Island. Tiencou-6 carries fuel, spare parts, maintenance and application equipment, as well as supplies for the taikonaut crew of the Shincou-15 mission. China is working to establish its own space station, known as “Tiengong”, featuring a core module, two laboratory modules, and a space telescope. The station will be approximately the same size as Russia’s now defunct Mir Space Station when completed. With the addition of laboratory modules to the core module, the “T” shaped mainframe of the station was completed, and the “implementation and development phase” began after the installation phase. The space telescope called “Shuntien” is also planned to be added to the station as a separate module.
