Tianzhou-2 Cargo Spacecraft 

Tianzhou-2 Cargo Spacecraft 

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II – International Relations and GS -III – Economy 

In news

• China recently launched and docked a cargo spacecraft, Tianzhou-2.
• It is another step towards completing the construction of its first space station. 

Key takeaways 

• It was launched on a Long March-7 rocket. 
• It will be followed by the launch of another cargo spacecraft, Tianzhou-3, and two manned missions, Shenzhou-12 and Shenzhou-13. 
• The manned missions will each carry three astronauts who will spend several months in orbit.

Do you know? 

• The launch was a third landmark for China’s space programme in recent weeks.
• China landed a spacecraft in Mars on May 15 carrying its first Mars rover, Zhurong.
• The Tianhe module, which the cargo spacecraft docked with was launched on April 29.

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