China successfully launched the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft on Tuesday, 25 November, at 12:11 p.m. using the Long March-2F Yao-22 carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu Province. About 10 minutes after liftoff, the spacecraft separated from the rocket and entered its planned orbit. It will later dock automatically with China’s space station following pre-set procedures.
Shenzhou-22 is an unmanned mission. The spacecraft is carrying space food, medicine, fresh fruits and vegetables, repair tools for fixing the porthole crack of the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, as well as essential spare parts for the space station.
This launch marks the 38th mission since China began its crewed space program, and it is also the first emergency launch in the program’s history.
Source: Tuhina–Hashim–Sworna, China Media Group.