China announces successful launch of Tianzhou-7 cargo spacecraft

BEIJING: China on Wednesday launched the Tianzhou-7 cargo spacecraft to deliver essential supplies to astronauts on-board the Tiangong space station in orbit. The Long March-7 Y8 carrier rocket carrying the spacecraft blasted off at 22:27 Beijing Time (1427 GMT) from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan, according to China Central Television. After about 10 minutes, Tianzhou-7 separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. Its solar panels soon unfolded. The agency declared the launch a complete success. The cargo craft will later conduct the rendezvous and docking with the space station combination. Source: Emirates News Agency