14 July 2025 year Fr. 21:40 (UTC) from Wenchang Cosmodrome, China launched the Chinese satellite "Tianzhou 9" using the "Long March 7" launch vehicle.
«Tianzhou 9» – Chinese automated cargo spacecraft, developed on the basis of the first prototype of the Chinese space station "Tiangong-1" to replenish the supplies of the Chinese space station. It was launched for the first time ("Tianzhou-1") with the help of the "Changjong 7" missile 20 April 2017 year and demonstrated autonomous refueling (refueling in space).
The Tianzhou freighter has several notable differences from the Tiangong stations, from which it originates. It has only three segments of solar panels (against 4 уTiangong), but has 4 maneuverable engines (against 2).
Classic, space cargo ship "Tianzhou" consists of two subassemblies: service module, in which the propulsion plant is located, power system and various equipment, necessary for the operation of the spacecraft, and orbital module, containing cargo.
The service module is similar to the Tiangong service module 1 with some modifications: more fuel tanks and a more powerful propulsion system. The module has length 3,3 meters and diameter 2,8 meters. The main engine, which is used for orbital maneuvers, consists of 4 single-thrust rocket engines 490 newtons.
The cargo module is long 5 meters and in the basic version has a hermetic bunker for the transportation of bulk cargo 15 m3. The front part is equipped with an APAS hatch, which allows for electrical connections, and 4 pipelines, used to transfer fluids to the space station's reservoirs.
According to the CCS