China launches Tianzhou-7 cargo spacecraft (1/4)

A Long March-7 Y8 carrier rocket carrying Tianzhou-7 cargo craft blasts off at 22:27 Beijing Time from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 17, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/Fu Tian)

Tianzhou-7 carries supplies for the astronauts, including Lunar New Year goods, fresh fruits, vegetables, items for experiment payloads, experiment units, and samples to support continuous space experiments.

This mission marks the fourth launch after China's manned space program entered the application and development stage of the space station. It is the 31st launch mission since the initiation of the project and the 507th flight of the Long March rocket series.

A Long March-7 Y8 carrier rocket carrying Tianzhou-7 cargo craft blasts off at 22:27 Beijing Time from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 17, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/Fu Tian)

A Long March-7 Y8 carrier rocket carrying Tianzhou-7 cargo craft blasts off at 22:27 Beijing Time from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 17, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/Fu Tian)

A Long March-7 Y8 carrier rocket carrying Tianzhou-7 cargo craft blasts off at 22:27 Beijing Time from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 17, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/Fu Tian)