Tianzhou 8

Tianzhou 8

A Tianzhou 3D model
Mission type	Tiangong space station resupply
Operator	CNSA
COSPAR ID	2024-211A
SATCAT no.	61983
Mission duration	7 days, 31 minutes (in progress)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft	Tianzhou-8
Spacecraft type	Tianzhou
Manufacturer	China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
Launch mass	14,000 kg (31,000 lb)
Payload mass	7,400 kg (16,300 lb)
Dimensions	10.6 m × 3.35 m (34.8 ft × 11.0 ft)
Expedition
Space station	Tiangong space station
Start of mission
Launch date	15 November 2024, 15:13 (15 November 2024, 15:13) UTC
Rocket	Long March 7
Launch site	Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, LC-201
Contractor	China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric orbit
Regime	Low Earth orbit
Inclination	41.5°
Docking with Tiangong space station
Docking port	Tianhe aft
Docking date	15 November 2024, 18:32 UTC
Time docked	6 days, 21 hours, 12 minutes (in progress)
Shenzhou program Tianzhou program

Tianzhou 8 (Chinese: 天舟八号) is the eighth mission of the Tianzhou-class uncrewed cargo spacecraft, and the seventh resupply mission to the Tiangong Space Station. Like previous Tianzhou missions, the spacecraft was launched from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center in Hainan, China on a Long March 7 rocket.

Mission history

Tianzhou 8 was launched on November 15, 2024, successfully docking with Tiangong after a three-hour flight.

Payload

Tianzhou 8 delivered 6 tons of supplies and materials to Tiangong, including bricks made from lunar regolith simulant.

Spacecraft

Main article: Tianzhou (spacecraft)