The Tianzhou 3 cargo spacecraft re-entered the Earth's atmosphere where it burned up most of its components at 11:31 am on July 27.
A small amount of its debris fell into secure areas in the South Pacific Ocean.
The Tianzhou 3 cargo spaceship makes a re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere on July 27, 2022. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
The spacecraft was sent into orbit on Sept 20, 2021, carrying about six metric tons of goods like living materials, spacesuits and consumables for extravehicular activity as well as propellant, supplies for the space station and materials for scientific research.
During the in-orbit period, Tianzhou 3 rendezvoused and docked with the Tianhe core module twice and completed fly-around tests. After separating from the Tianhe core module, the spacecraft carried out space technology experiments, accumulating experience for future in-orbit construction, operation and management of the space station.
Launch missions of the modules of China's space station, spacecrafts and cargo spaceships as well as relay satellites have all been carried out by the Long March carrier rockets developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
(Executive editor: Wang Ruoting)
