China launched its seventh manned (有人操纵的) spaceflight on June 17, 2021, sending three astronauts to the core module (核心舱) of its space station, Tiangong. A 20-story-all Long March 2F carrier rocket took off at 9:22 a.m. at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwesten China's Gobi Desert, shooting into the blue sky with the Shenzhou XI spacecraft(宇宙飞船) on top of the rocket. The Shenzhou XI spacecraft would then connect with the core module Tianhe and the cargo craft Tianzhou-2.
Launched on April 29, 2021, Tianhe is the biggest and heaviest spacecraft that China has built. It has three parts一a connecting section, a life-support and control section, and a resources section. It is central to the Tiangong station's operations. Astronauts live there and control the station from inside. The three astronauts, Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo, are to complete a three-monthmissionin it. They are expected to carry out space science experiments and technology experiments. They will use robotic arms to install (安装) equipment and cheek Tianhe's external condition. To stay in good health, they will also do some physical exercise.
On May 30, 2021, Tianzhou-2 spacecraft arived at the space station carirying supplies (物资). Chinese officials said the Tianzhou-2 spacecraft reached the station eight hours after launching from Hainan, an island in the South China Sea. The spacecraft was carrying space suits, living supplies, equipment and fuel for astronauts to use.
Based on the project plans made by the Chinese space agency, there will be a total of 11 launches from 2021 to the end of 2022. So they will transport more supplies and astronauts to build the space station: In 2022, two large space labs will be launched to connect with the core module. Moreover, two manned space fights and two robotic cargo (货物) flights will be made that year to continue construction of the Tiangong station. The station expected to be completed and put into formal operation around the end of 2022.
