Chi launches first cargo spacecraft

Beijing, April 20: Chi on Thursday launched its first cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-1 from the Wenchang Space Launch Centre in Hain province, authorities said. In space, the cargo ship will dock with the orbiting Tiangong-2 space lab, provide fuel and other supplies, and conduct space experiments before returning, Xinhua news agency reported.

Chi aims to build a permanent space station that is expected to orbit for at least 10 years, and the debut of the cargo ship is important as it acts as a courier to help maintain the space station, according to the authorities.

Without a cargo transportation system, the station would run out of power and basic necessities, causing it to return to Earth before the desigted time. It is the first cargo ship independently developed by Chi. (IANS)